- GTBank Food and Drink Fair to Boost Small Businesses
As part of its continued efforts to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit of young Nigerians, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, is currently providing opportunities to more than 100 small businesses in Nigeria’s Food Industry through provision of free storefronts at the GTBank Food and Drink taking place in Lagos to commemorate the 2017 Worker’s Day.
The two-day event offers small businesses in the Nigerian Food Industry a free and vibrant platform to connect with a wider segment of their target markets as well as experts in their business fields.
Promoters of the fair told journalists in Lagos on Friday that the 2016 edition had over 90 exhibitors from the food sector and attracted more than 25,000 guests. They promised that the 2017 edition will expand on the favourite features of the previous event, such as MasterClasses led by internationally renowned Chefs and Sales Exhibitions by small businesses.
Assistant Manager and Group Head, Communications & External Affairs at the bank, Oyinade Adegite, said: “It will also provide new and exciting features such as a Farmers’ Market, where SMEs involved in agriculture will showcase and sell fresh and organic farm products, and a Baking Masterclass for children kids. There will also be a diverse range of restaurants offering mouth-watering dishes, outdoor grills and thrilling entertainment as well as savoury wine tastings to enable attendees experience an exciting and eclectic mix of undiscovered brands and household names alike,”.
She further added that the exhibition will be free to attend and guaranteed an unparalleled food experience for everyone, pointing out that all that is involved is online registration
It was also revealed at the press briefing that a wide variety of cuisines at the fair would be such that one can munch his or her way around the world. “If you are a food lover, get set to loosen your belt for the gastronomic delights that will be served by a diverse range of restaurants offering mouth-watering dishes. If you love drinks, then prep your taste buds for savoury wine tastings and finely mixed cocktails.
“At the heart of the Food and Drink fair is the exhibition and sales by over hundred SMEs in the Nigerian food industry. Geared towards promoting indigenous agriculture and supporting small businesses, the Exhibition will provide a platform for SMEs to showcase a wide variety of products ranging from fresh organic groceries to dry foods, confectionary and pastries, ready to eat consumables and drinks as well as top quality crockery,” she stated.
Meanwhile, in an earlier statement, the organisers had stated that there would be cooking master classes, with the masters of cooking, including internationally renowned chef, Raphael Duntoye, chef patron of la petite maison, famous food and fitness expert Kevin Curry and pop-up restaurateur – Lerato Umah-Shaylor.
“Nothing better embellishes delicious foods than watching celebrity chefs prepare them live, and that’s exactly what you will get at the GTBank Food and Drink MasterClasses. The MasterClasses will be led by internationally renowned Chefs, such as, Raphael Duntoye, chef patron of la petite maison, famous food and fitness expert Kevin Curry, TV chef and pop-up restaurateur – Lerato Umah-Shaylor and renowned food blogger, Jehan Powell. Other Masterchef headliners include Ronke Edoho, founder of 9jafoodie.com, Nkesi Enyioha, owner of HSE Café, Chef Abiola Akanji of Red Dish Chronicles and Chef Benedict Okuzu, the West African Chef Ambassador for German home appliance brand, “Miele.”