On Sunday, the 30th of April, 2017, the much talked about GTBank Food and Drink Fair began. As the sun began to warm the venue, gently, no one was yet certain about what to expect. Guests streamed in, vendors called out, the comperes kept the place alive over the speakers.
The DJ, at the peak of his powers, had vendors dancing while they sold. There was palpable joy, and you could see that this was beyond everyone’s expectations. First credit: In spite of the mammoth crowd, the atrium was comfortably cool.
The impressive masterclass line up had people literally lining up at the doors, waiting to be taught by their favorite chefs. From International Chefs like Raphael Duntoye, Kevin curry, Brian Malarkey and Jehan Powell to Nigerian Chefs like Lerato Umah Shaylor, Chef Nkesi, Abiola Akanji aka Chef Stone, Chef Benedict and Chef Eros. Guests learned how to make a variety of dishes from Italian cuisine by Chef Benedict, to a healthy Jambalaya by Kevin Curry to a yummy jollof risotto served with a honey glazed, gari crusted prawn by Chef Eros.
Perhaps the most poignant masterclass of them all was by Chartered accountant turned food blogger, Ronke Edoho. The certified nutritionist had the last masterclass of the day and she gave an impressive class about eating healthy with Nigerian food. She asked guests easy but loaded questions like “what is quinoa”? challenging people to use local alternatives which are just as good, if not better than local food.
