The Vice President of The Gambia, Muhammad B.S. Jallow, has officially opened the West Africa Food Festival 2026 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre, bringing together chefs and culinary teams from across the region for a week of food showcases, competitions and cultural exchange.
The festival, which commenced on October 15 and runs until October 21, 2026, was formally inaugurated by Jallow alongside the Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Abdoulie Jobe.
Held under the theme “Developing Skills, Changing Lives,” the festival aims to promote culinary skills, celebrate West African food traditions and create opportunities for professionals in the regional hospitality and food industries.
The week-long programme features country cuisine showcases, masterclasses, cooking competitions and cultural activities designed to highlight the diversity of West African gastronomy while encouraging knowledge-sharing among culinary professionals.
The participation of chefs and culinary teams from across West Africa provides a platform for countries to showcase their distinctive dishes, cooking techniques and culinary heritage, while fostering collaboration within the region’s food and hospitality sectors.
The festival also highlights the growing role of gastronomy in tourism development, as local cuisine increasingly serves as a tool for promoting destinations, attracting visitors and creating economic opportunities for food producers, chefs and hospitality businesses.
By combining culinary exhibitions with skills development and cultural activities, the West Africa Food Festival 2026 seeks to strengthen the connection between food, tourism and regional cooperation.
The event continues at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Centre through October 21, offering participants and visitors opportunities to experience the culinary traditions and cultural diversity of West Africa.
