African Chefs Converge in Lagos for HAAPI Festival, 2018
African Chefs are to Converge in Lagos for the 2018 edition of HAAPI Festival from August 28th – September 2nd. HAAPI Festival, otherwise known as Hospitality All African People Imbizo (HAAPI) Festival, is considered to be the biggest annual Chefs gathering across the African continent involving Chefs, Culinary Practitioners and Associations. This year’s event will feature Chefs from over twenty (20)
African countries as part of the African Chefs United Network
HAAPI Festival celebrates Africa’s indigenous food, exotic drinks, arts and heritage. Hospitality All African People Imbizo is an initiative of African Chefs United and is aimed at bringing together chefs and hospitality players across Africa to share best practices for the promotion of indigenous African food culture within the hospitality and tourism sector.
According to African Chefs United Deputy Director for West Africa and Chairman of the Planning Committee for HAAPI Nigeria 2018, Chef Akintunde Adeshina Shine, “The event is hosted once every year and each African country takes turn to host it. It is a great honor for Nigeria to be hosting over 60 executive Chefs and 200 stakeholders within the hospitality industry in Africa. Notable Chefs and personalities that will grace this year’s event include Chef Citrum Khumalo – Founder of ACU, Chef Mougam Pareatumbee from Mauritius, Presidents of Chefs Associations in Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe and award winning Ghanaian Chef and Founder of Food for All Africa, Chef Elijah Amoo Addo.
In line with the centenary celebration of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, the program will enhance skill development, create network and social cohesion among African culinary professionals as well as provide career guidance to young people. “HAAPI also aims to improve the interactions and relationships between African culinary specialists, said Chef Elijah Addo.”
Speaking to the media in Lagos on activities for HAAPI 2018, President of Association of Professional Chefs Nigeria, His Highness, Chief (Chef) Ekpenyong Paulinus Okon, stated that activities slated for this year’s festival include The Young Chef Skills Challenge, Nelson Mandela Culinary Display, Mystery Basket Competition, the African Cocktail Party at Lilygate Hotel, Seminars and workshop at Banquet Hall of Eko Hotel and HBS.
The Association Of Professional Chefs Nigeria (APCN) as the host organization in partnership with African Chefs United (ACU), South Africa, have been able to attract major sponsors for HAAPI NIGERIA 2018 including Eko Hotel, LilyGate Hotels, Pelican Hotels, Maggi (Nestle PLC), Lekki Leisure Lake, Hospitality Business School (HBS) all in Lagos Nigeria where the event will take place. Other sponsor of the event are Techno Pro, South Africa and Nisa Foods, Abuja”
This year’s HAAPI festival will end with chefs across Africa drawing a working document towards accelerating Africa’s effort in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by 2030.
