By Adedapo Adesanya
This year’s Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) showpiece event, Food and Drink Festival, is set to witness a better package than the past editions after two years of hiatus as a result of the coronavirus pandemic halted plans.
For the 5th edition, the headlining event will hold from Saturday, April 30 – May 2, 2022, at the GTCentre, Plot 1 Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos, and the organisers noted that it will deliver the needed value to the Nigerian food enterprise.
Speaking at a media parley on Thursday, the Group’s Corporate Communications Team lead, Mr Charles Eremi, said that over 150 vendors are expected.
“This is the fifth edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Fair after a two-year break and ready to accommodate more vendors than in previous editions.
“We presently have over 150 food vendors at the fair and will be expecting more.
“The selection of the vendors was done following a two-week application period on the GTCO Food and Drink fair online platform,” he said.
Over the years, the Food and Drink Festival has hosted millions of people and featured enlightening and engaging masterclasses by world-renowned chefs and food business experts. It brings together the biggest chefs and food lovers from around the world in a celebration of all things delicious with family and friends.
However, following the COVID-19 disruptions in the years 2020 and 2021, the event is back with plans to boost the country’s food and retail industry.
Speaking on this, Mr Ereme said that the bank was committed to driving viability in both the retail and SMEs sector, noting that, “we want to provide a good business platform for the food and drink industry in Nigeria.”
He added, “The selection of the vendors was done following a two-week application period on the GTCO Food and Drink fair online platform.”
The fair will also have various masterclasses from renowned chefs across the world that will bring to fore their experiences in the international food business.
“We want to maximise the potential of our local food and drink industry. We will have an array of Nigerian cuisine at the fair. We are ready to handle the number of persons expected at the fair, we have the right measures in place in terms of security and health care.
“The fair is not profit-driven as the vendors are not paying for their stands, most of the food will be discounted, it is part of GTCO’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
“We will have marshals go around to ensure vendors sell within the agreed range,” he said.
This year’s free to attend three-day festival will feature cooking masterclasses of cuisines chosen from all around the world and over 140 free retail stalls showcasing everything from the best of Nigeria’s street food to bite-sized gourmet treats and fresh farm produce from the farmers’ market. The well-fitted play area is designed to add another layer of excitement for children and keep them meaningfully engaged.
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