May 20, (THEWILL)- The Management of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR), organisers of the annual NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, confirms the participation of some diplomatic missions across continents in Nigeria. The missions will showcase their countries’ foods and beverages at the food festival on Friday, May 31, 2024, in Abuja. The countries include Spain, China, Senegal, Congo DR, and Trinidad and Tobago.
NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival is a masterpiece of gastronomy tourism that attracts over 5,000 visitors and tourists. The theme for this year’s festival is: “Sustainable Food Production from Farm to Table”. Participation in this leading food festival is free of charge to organisations, food exhibitors, tourists, and visitors.
Moreover, the NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival has been organised every year since 2021, to bridge the gap in the dearth of skilled gastronomy and culinary personnel in the sectors in Nigeria. The festival provides one of the best opportunities for hospitality and tourism personnel, stakeholders, students, and enthusiasts to have hands-on learning and experiences on the sustainability of gastronomy tourism in Nigeria.
Typical of the Gastronomy Festivals, there will be an exhibition of Nigerian foods and beverages, from the country’s six geographic zones by NIHOTOUR, an exhibition of international cuisines by foreign missions in Nigeria, and an exhibition of signature foods by leading chefs and restaurant franchises in Nigeria. Other activities in the arena of the food exhibitions are live cake-making competitions by culinary schools in Abuja.
Additionally, as part of the NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival programmes and activities this year, the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership with NIHOTOUR, will host a Masterclass for culinary schools and Chefs in Lagos, on the 26th of May and in Abuja on the 29th of May. Chef Alex Marugan, the celebrated chef from Madrid, Spain, and his team will teach the class. This will be Chef Alex Marugan’s second masterclass in Nigeria, courtesy of the Spanish Embassy. His first was at last year’s Gastronomy Festival in Abuja.
NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival will be rounded off in the evening with live musical performances by leading artists in the country at a Gala & Award Night, where NIHOTOUR will induct new Fellows of the Institute (FHTI) for their outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Hospitality and Tourism sectors in Nigeria.
The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) is established by Act of Parliament with the mandate to train, certify and register personnel working in Nigeria’s Hospitality, Travel and Tourism sectors. More so, NIHOTOUR is the coordinator of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN).
About the Author
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
