The Gambia has retained the crown as the best Jollof rice competition at the just-ended West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST).
The small West African nation was adjudged to have prepared the best Jollof rice at WAFFEST 2026, beating competition from rivals Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Liberia among others.
Gambia also won last year’s award for the dish, a popular staple across West Africa, which is the subject of a fierce competition with Ghana and Nigeria as fiercest rivals.
Banjul, The Gambia has been hosting WAFFEST from October 15 to 21, 2026 in an event which brought together participants from across West Africa to celebrate the region’s food traditions, cultural diversity and culinary creativity.
Participants sought to promote the region’s culinary identity and increase international recognition of local chefs and food-related enterprises.
It was an occasion for networking, knowledge exchange and potential partnerships among chefs and other stakeholders in the hospitality and food industries of West Africa.
On October 18, the “China Day” event was held as part of WAFFEST during which members of the Chinese Residents Association in The Gambia, participated, showcasing Chinese cuisine and traditional culture.
A Chinese cooking competition was organized for the occasion. Chinese chef served as judge, introduced and shared Chinese dishes, and provided hands-on guidance to local contestants in preparing Chinese cuisine.
WN/as/APA