The foodie in everyone headlines 2024 GTCO Food & Drink Festival

… An Expo Of Global Culinary Lifestyle

If anything was established from the just concluded 2024 GTCO Food & Drink Festival held in the city of Lagos, last weekend, it is the fact that regardless of inflation or economic downturn, social or cultural background, food and drink of all types, from every nook and cranny of the world, depending on individual taste bud is the primary essence of life.

This was the common ground reaction of the thousands of people from not only Nigeria but the entire Africa continent and beyond who didn’t miss a chance to explore and experience the three-day GTCO Food and Drink Festival which ran between April 26 and 28, 2024.

Although the hundreds of diverse mouth-watering food and drink stands were the targeted destination for attendees who came with cravings and wild appetites, the first stop for all especially those who have passion for learning the art of culinary cuisines beyond the traditional African dishes but also innovative fusion cuisines from other parts of the world, was the 12 practical Masterclass sessions all through the three-day event, starting with the newly introduced children’s baking class where Chef Uche Annie Ugoka taught a practical masterclass session on ‘Kids Baking’.

Day-2 showcased Chef Gale Gand on ‘Mastering Creamy Chocolate Desserts’, Chef Bunny Young treated ‘Authentic New Orleans Creole Food’, Chef Bo & Dylan on ‘Structure of Thai food through Jaew’, Chef Aldo Zilli did ‘Beyound Pasta: A Holistic Approach to Italian Cuisine’, and Chef Robin McBride on ‘Uncorking Your Wine Potential’.

Day-3 Masterclasses featured Chef Lisa Brooks on ‘Southern Coastal Cuisine’, Chef Maunika Gowardhan treated ‘Indian Cuisine Beyond Curry’, Chef Angel Vasque did ‘Mexican Cuisine, Mestizaje and Culture’, while Chef Jean Novelli did ‘je ne sais quoi – The Class French Masterclass with a twist’, Chef Ryan Mitchell did ‘The Art of Whole Hog BBQ’ and finally, Tom Parker Bowles spoke on the topic ‘Exploring the Role of a Food Writer and Critic in the Culinary World’.

Speaking to The Guardian at the festival, Anthony Ogundipe who was at the street food session alongside a number of others who were on different long queues for diverse African street foods, said: “You probably wouldn’t know how much of a foodie you really are until you attend the GTCO Food & Drink Festival where you find yourself craving for everything on display like a pregnant woman. This food festival is a once in a year opportunity that me, my family and friends look forward to and ensure not to miss unless we are not in the country, because it is the one place that makes you feel alive with every delicious meal you will never have on one dining table. Although I came here with three of my friends including my fiancée, two of my siblings are also here somewhere ‘chopping the life of their head’, and guess what, my mother has called me twice to remind me to buy her roasted ram meat and roasted plantain which is why I have been on this long queue for about 20 mins.”

Chinedu Obi, who was dancing to one of Asake’s songs, said “Thumbs up to GTCO Food & Drink, it’s been a remarkable experience of great food and entertaining music. I was here on Friday evening after work, here today and would be here tomorrow Sunday to enjoy every bit of this event, tasting bits of almost everything on display, having good times with my friends and making new ones. I kind of also use this platform to network, and I have met wonderful people.”