Chefs Haddy Nyang and Momodou Alpha Jallow were awarded Gold Medals and crowned champions of the Jollof Rice Competition, reaffirming The Gambia’s culinary prowess in the region’s most hotly contested dish.
Chef Malang Kebbeh also secured a Gold Medal in the Meatless Monday Vegan category, while Chef Emmanuel Mendy earned a Silver Medal in Bread Making. Chef Momodou Alpha Jallow added to the accolades with a Bronze Medal in the ACA/WAFFEST Chef of the Year category.
The Gambia Chef Association, led by its President Chef Musa Darboe, participated in the festival with full backing from the Gambia Tourism Board (GTBoard) and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC), as part of a broader initiative to promote Gambian cuisine on the international stage.
WAFFEST, held annually, brings together celebrated chefs from across West Africa and beyond. This year’s edition featured over twenty countries showcasing the richness of African culinary heritage through seven competitive categories.
Team Gambia’s winning delegation included Chefs B.S.L. Manneh, Gibba, Malang Kebbeh, Haddy Nyang, Emmanuel Mendy, Momodou Alpha Jallow, Muftaha Bojang, and Chef Musa Darboe.
The Category was divided into seven including: Country Cuisine: Sierra Leone (1st), Nigeria (2nd), Ghana (3rd), Plated Dessert: Nigeria (1st), Ghana (2nd), Sierra Leone (3rd), Tier Cake: Nigeria (1st), Liberia (2nd), Sierra Leone (3rd), Chef of the Year (Individual): Nigeria (1st), Ghana (2nd), Gambia (3rd), Heritage Jollof: Gambia (1st), Ghana (2nd), Nigeria (3rd), Bread Bake: Ghana (1st), Gambia (2nd), Nigeria (3rd), and Meatless Monday: Gambia (1st), Ghana (2nd), Eswatini (3rd)
This year’s success builds on The Gambia’s impressive track record at WAFFEST. In 2019, Gambian chefs won Best Chef and Best Dessert of the Year in Accra, and in 2023, they were crowned champions of the Jollof Rice War in Lagos, Nigeria.
Expressing gratitude to the public, the Gambia Chefs Association extended heartfelt thanks to GTBoard, the Gambia Tourism and Hospitality Institute (GTHI), MOTAC, and a host of hoteliers, companies, and individuals for their unwavering support and guidance.
“This victory is not just for us, it’s for every Gambian who believes in the power of our food, our culture, and our talent,” said Chef Musa Darboe.
