The Gambia has once again claimed the crown in West Africa’s fiercest culinary rivalry, winning the Jollof rice competition at this year’s West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST).
The event concluded over the weekend at the La-Palm Beach Hotel in Accra, Ghana.
Team Gambia beat off stiff competition from regional powerhouses Nigeria and Ghana, securing the top spot in the dish that continues to spark debate across the region. This marks back-to-back success for the country, which also won the Jollof title in 2023.
But the Gambian contingent did not stop there. The Gambia Chefs Association also brought home several other awards, including:
- Two placements in the Bread Bakery category
- First place in the Meatless Monday Vegan contest
- Third place in the Best WAFFEST and ACA Chef of the Year category
Supported by the Gambia Tourism Board under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the team’s achievements have not only raised the country’s culinary profile but also secured a major win: Banjul will host WAFFEST in 2026.
This year’s festival brought together chefs from across Africa to celebrate food and culture through cooking, music, and storytelling. Representing The Gambia was the Chefs Association of The Gambia, led by its president, Chef Haruna Musa Darboe.
WAFFEST has become an important platform for African chefs to showcase their skills, exchange knowledge, and promote culinary traditions. For The Gambia, two consecutive Jollof titles strengthen its claim in one of the region’s most passionate food rivalries.
