Benue Food Festival 2025 Kicks Off in Grand Style with Chefs from Across Nigeria and Beyond

 

Benue Food Festival 2025 Kicks Off in Grand Style with Chefs from Across Nigeria and Beyond

Makurdi, Benue State – May 29, 2025 – The highly anticipated Benue Food Festival 2025 officially opened this week with fanfare, flavor, and cultural celebration, drawing culinary talent and food enthusiasts from across Nigeria and international borders. The festival, which is rapidly becoming one of the most beloved gastronomic events in the region, showcases the agricultural abundance and culinary diversity of Benue State, fondly referred to as the “Food Basket of the Nation.”

This year’s event welcomed distinguished chefs and culinary guests from every corner of Nigeria, as well as from neighboring countries, who gathered to celebrate Benue’s rich food culture. From the traditional kitchens of Idoma and Tiv land to contemporary twists on local favorites, the festival offered a platform for cultural exchange, culinary innovation, and community engagement.

The festival's opening ceremony saw an electrifying mix of traditional music, dance, and visual storytelling, setting the tone for a dynamic series of events. The Benue Food Festival Crew, comprised of indigenous culinary professionals, farmers, and food activists, prepared an impressive array of dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. These meals were graciously shared with the good people of Benue State, emphasizing the festival’s core values of community, generosity, and pride in local produce.

“Our goal with this festival is to showcase Benue’s unmatched agricultural potential and culinary creativity to the world. “By bringing chefs from various regions and cultures together, we create a vibrant food dialogue that uplifts our farmers, honors our traditions, and delights the public.”

The event featured:

• Live cooking demonstrations

• Farm-to-table exhibitions

• Local delicacy tasting sessions

• Workshops on sustainable agriculture and food entrepreneurship

• Music and cultural performances

Beyond celebrating food, the festival is also committed to boosting agritourism and local economic development. Attendees included food industry stakeholders, tourism promoters, policymakers, and media representatives who explored the immense potential Benue holds for national food security and culinary tourism.

As the festival continues over the coming days, more activities are lined up to celebrate Benue’s agricultural diversity and strengthen the bond between the land, the kitchen, and the people.

The Benue Food Festival 2025 is proudly supported by the Benue State Government, local and international partners, and the vibrant communities that make the state a culinary gem in Nigeria.