Sierra Leonean Chefs Win Gold, Silver at International Culinary Competition
Aaron Parker Sierra Leone has secured a gold medal in Cake Decoration and finished second in the Best Chef competition at an international culinary event held in The Gambia, bringing recognition to the country’s growing food and hospitality industry.
Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh disclosed the achievement, explaining that a team of Sierra Leonean chefs represented the country at the competition following a national selection process organised through the Sierra Leone Chef Association and the Faculty of Applied Technology and Arts (FATA).
According to Sengeh, the team emerged among competitors from 16 countries participating in three different categories, winning gold in Cake Decoration and securing second place in the Best Chef competition.
He highlighted the inspiring backgrounds of the two award-winning participants, noting that the Cake Decoration gold medallist previously worked as a taxi driver, while the chef who secured second place in the Best Chef competition had returned to Sierra Leone from Turkey with the aim of contributing to development back home.
The Chief Minister explained that he had spent between five and six hours judging the Sierra Leone Jollof War, Country Dish and Cake Decoration competitions approximately three weeks before the international event. The competitions were organised to identify talented chefs who would represent Sierra Leone abroad.
He congratulated the participating chefs and acknowledged the individuals and organisations that supported their participation, describing them as part of the country’s emerging ‘Delivery Generation’.
Sengeh also emphasised the importance of food beyond its traditional role, describing it as an expression of culture and tradition as well as an important contributor to economic development.