Over the past decade, African food festivals have evolved from just being based on the traditional or cultural festival celebration. The new breed of Africans has made it a point to take their foods and set down dates in the year to celebrate food for just being food. Food festivals, with the support of several organisations and in some cases the governments of certain countries, are slowly becoming a huge contribution to Africa’s tourism pulling in tourists interested in African cuisine. With so much influence of the West even in the foods that Africans eat, African food festivals are an important addition to modern trends that will help keep original African food and cooking styles relevant. If you are a lover of food, then food festivals are definitely a thing that will be marked in your calendar, but if they already aren’t, check out these 5 African food festivals that will leave you salivating and hungry.
If you are looking at tasting the best of Kenyan meals from the plates of the best chefs and cooks in the country, then set your travel plans aside for the Nairobi Restaurant week that happens yearly. The annual event usually takes place in the early parts of the year at the end of January eating into parts of February. For 10 -12 days every year, food lovers are treated to the best of meals at lower prices. The amazing thing about the Nairobi Restaurant Week is that close to 80 three-star to five-star restaurants participate in the event treating their customers to special menus only available once a year during the festival with unbeatable prices.
The festival provides a great time for budget-friendly dinners and events at some of the most expensive restaurants in Kenya. What’s more, the festival is sponsored by companies that help make the food celebration more exciting. During the festival, guests get to interact with the chef’s cooks and hotel managers and enjoy free or discounted drinks. If you are planning to visit Kenya, you should probably consider doing so during the Nairobi Restaurant Week and save a lot of money on food – or not- depending on your love for food.
There are a lot of things that Nigerians take personal and on top of the list is their love for their food. While giving space for continental dishes, the Lagos Street Food festival was started to showcase Nigerian cuisine at its finest. During the Lagos Food Festival, one will be spoilt for choice with the many traditional and street foods available. Well trained chefs will grace the occasion showing off their skill and interpretation of contemporary Nigerian meals where western influence is blended with Nigerian meals.
There are a lot of things that Nigerians take personal and on top of the list is their love for their food. While giving space for continental dishes, the Lagos Street Food festival was started to showcase Nigerian cuisine at its finest. During the Lagos Food Festival, one will be spoilt for choice with the many traditional and street foods available. Well trained chefs will grace the occasion showing off their skill and interpretation of contemporary Nigerian meals where western influence is blended with Nigerian meals.
During the festival, people are treated to the best of meals and entertained to quality Nigerian music. The annual event is held during the country’s independence holiday weekend and draws in a huge crowd from Nigeria and other parts of Africa and the world. Tourists who want a taste of Nigeria should plan to be in Nigeria during independence weekend to enjoy Nigerian cuisine while experiencing the country’s history and struggle for independence.
The Street Food Festival is a 10-day celebration of the best and cheapest street food in South Africa. The festival since 2013 has brought together many tourists to enjoy some of South Africa’s street food cooked and ready in no time. Food is served and enjoyed in indigenous South African style and eaten in a similar fashion. Attendees get to know the history behind certain meals. Over the years, the festival has expanded to include street food organization pop-ups and screening of South African movies that focus on food as well as great music.
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As the youngest food festival on the list, the West African Food Festival organized and held in Ghana is an annual food festival that is quickly gaining attention in Africa. Every September since 2017, in honour of West African foods, the West African Food Festival brings together the best of the best chefs from West African countries to prepare food from their homelands and display for public viewing and of course eating. The festival aims at promoting peace and unity through food. Chefs from different participating countries engage in a healthy cooking battle and it is a great time for tourists in Ghana to have a taste of different parts of West AfricaThe Street Food Festival is a 10-day celebration of the best and cheapest street food in South Africa. The festival since 2013 has brought together many tourists to enjoy some of South Africa’s street food cooked and ready in no time. Food is served and enjoyed in indigenous South African style and eaten in a similar fashion. Attendees get to know the history behind certain meals. Over the years, the festival has expanded to include street food organization pop-ups and screening of South African movies that focus on food as well as great music.
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With the hopes of taking and exhibiting African culture outside the continent, the African Food Festival was started in Europe by Owusu and Kobe who for the love of food and bringing Africans together to feel at home started the festival. The festival was started in 2014 and has since grown to become one of Europe’s biggest food festivals bringing Africans and Caribbeans together through food. Every year Blacks all over Europe and the world meet in Berlin for the African Food Festival. Chefs and food organisations from Africa make it a point to represent at the Africa Food Festival. The festival provides an opportunity for many to have a feel of Africa through its food as well as give home sick places and Africans a moment of bond and connection to their homeland. Chefs and food organisations from Africa make it a point to represent at the Africa Food Festival.