The Gambia has clinched top honours in the fiercely contested Jollof rice category at this year’s West Africa Food Festival, sending waves of national pride across the country.

The culinary showdown, held in Accra, Ghana, pitted Gambian chefs against rivals from Nigeria and Ghana two nations long locked in a friendly but fiery rivalry over who makes the best Jollof.

In a statement celebrating the victory, the Ministry of Tourism hailed Team Gambia for “a job well done,” describing the win as a proud moment for the country’s culinary heritage.

“This triumph shows that Gambian cuisine can stand tall on the international stage. Our chefs have once again proved that our Jollof is unmatched in flavour and creativity,” the ministry said.

The West Africa Food Festival is a major regional event that celebrates the rich and diverse flavours of the subcontinent, drawing chefs, food critics and enthusiasts from across the region.

The Jollof competition is always the most anticipated highlight, as each country fiercely defends its recipe for the iconic rice dish that symbolises West African identity and pride.

For years, Ghana and Nigeria have dominated the Jollof debate, with both nations claiming bragging rights in what has become a cultural rivalry that stretches far beyond the kitchen.

The Gambia’s upset victory in Accra now puts the small nation at the heart of that debate, as its chefs delivered a winning blend of spices, technique and presentation that impressed the judges.

Gambians at home and abroad have taken to social media to celebrate the achievement, sharing photos, memes and congratulations for the team.

The Ministry of Tourism said the victory will help promote Gambian cuisine internationally and boost the country’s growing food tourism industry.

By Adama Makasuba