GTCO Food and Drink Festival 2025: Full-blown feast of culture, creativity and culinary delight
The GTCO Food and Drink Festival, which kicked off in its sizzling 8th edition as a full-blown feast of culture, creativity and delight with all the razzmatazz and paparazzi of audiences, vendors, among others, ended on 4th May 2025, but the memory of the moment at the GTCentre, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Victoria Island cannot be forgotten in a hurry, write Editor Gentechnews, Tony Nwakaegho.
This GTCO Food and Drink Festival has grown from a humble showcase into Africa’s biggest food and drink celebration over the years and snowballed in 2025 edition with extra spicy as the sessions were headlined by an impressive lineup of international culinary maestros, culinary experts for the masterclasses, who offered rich hands-on experience for food enthusiasts as well as interactive sessions while the masterclass lasted. Food enthusiasts also had mouth full after each masterclass from sushi Japanese dish to spice to traditional French dishes, Culinary from Northern Louisiana, Southern Barbecue, Italian Cuisine among others with what was prepared as a proof that the taste of the pudding is in the eating. There were take away gifts at the masterclasses for the audiences.
The listing of the international team, the masterclass guests included:
Chef Cristian Duhalde (Argentina): who thrilled the audience by turning pizza into art as a confirmation as an award-winning chef and restaurateur and refined take on Latin American and Spanish cuisine.
Chef Tilewa Odedina (Nigeria): who held the audience spellbound at the masterclass by blending African flavours and nutrition with modern wellness techniques.
Chef Tamra Patterson (USA): Proved herself as a master of Creole flavours as well as her demonstration of how to prepare Jambalaya and jollof.
Chef Thomas Zacharias (India): blending spice by telling me the story of how his love for food began and the ability of food to just transform people’s day. He hinged the learnings from his previous years of storytelling, and in making The Locavore to create a long-lasting impact — to actually get people to act, not just listen.
Chef Lorenzo Cogo (Italy): one of Italy’s most exciting culinary talents, known for pushing the boundaries of traditional Italian cuisine and transforming simple ingredients into masterpieces.
Chef Gabriel Rodriguez (Mexico): He prides himself on his technique, cooking with local Mexican ingredients and spices as well as bringing tacos and tales.
Chef Hardette Harris (USA): A proud Louisiana native and the creator of North Louisiana’s official state meal.
Chef Lasheeda Perry (USA): She is known for creating bold, globally inspired desserts with a personal touch with sweets and precision.
Chef Daniel Galmiche (France): He blends classic French techniques with a love for nature and healthy living.
Chef Shalamar Lane (USA): Blending wood-smoked tradition with soulful hospitality to keep cultural roots alive and brings nearly 20 years of Southern BBQ mastery to the table.
Chef Hiroo Nagahara (Japan): Highlights the importance of using sharp knives and even sharper flavours to create great cuisine.
Chef Uche Annie Ugoka (Nigeria): She is an inspiration to kids in the art of baking, especially cakes.
Speaking with Gentechnews, Ayo Bamidele said This GTCO food festival is a once in a year opportunity that me, my family and friends look forward to and ensure not to miss, because it is the one place that makes you feel alive with every delicious meal you will never have on one dining table at home.
Madam Chizoba Rosemary, a corn seller told Gentechnews that she hails from Imo State, but live near Oniru Beach in Victoria Island Beach in Victoria Island and want to thank GTCO for the opportunity, that they did well for her and others to come and sell here for free, adding that this is her third year of coming to the GTCO foods and drink to sell.
The GTCO Food & Drink Festival 2025 was a fun-filled space satisfying the little ones, youths, adult appetites with varieties of foods and drinks in a secured area that makes them relax and enjoy their day, making friends and networking for businesses.
There was an announcement here and there of a few lucky foodies who were given ₦25,000 vouchers to eat to their hearts’ content at this year’s GTCO Food & Drink Festival.
Security was top notch as kids who missed their ways were recovered and announced for the parents to come forward and collect.
There was no dull moment as the atmosphere was charged with the MCs and the music stand, thereby giving the crowd the vibes, the buzzing, excitement and the razzmatazz that kept the show going from morning till night.
This year’s GTCO Food & Drink Festival leaves behind the unforgettable memory that epitomizes that Nigerians and Lagosians love food and gets it once in a year through the resilience of GTCO that keeps hosting the festival year after year.
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