07/12/2025
OFE OWERRRI FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL SET TO SPOTLIGHT OWERRI’S CULINARY HERITAGE ON NATIONAL STAGE
Chibuikem Diala
At the heart of Igbo culinary tradition lies a soup that has crossed generations and borders- Ofe Owerri. Rich in flavour, deeply symbolic, and proudly indigenous, the soup traces its origin to the traditional kitchens of Owerri land, where women perfected a unique blend of vegetables, palm oil, spices, and assorted meats into what is today recognised across Nigeria and beyond as a signature delicacy. From family homes to festive gatherings, Ofe Owerri has become a cultural emblem of hospitality, identity, and pride.
It is this powerful heritage that the forthcoming Ofe Owerri Food & Drink Festival seeks to celebrate, preserve, and project to the South East, Nigeria, and the global stage. The festival is designed not only as a food celebration but as a cultural and economic platform that connects heritage with tourism, business, and lifestyle.
The core objective of the festival is to celebrate and preserve indigenous culinary traditions, position Owerri as the authentic custodian of Ofe Owerri, and promote culinary tourism as a driver of economic development in Imo State. Beyond culture, the festival provides strong commercial value by creating high-visibility opportunities for food vendors, SMEs, chefs, women, and young entrepreneurs, while stimulating the local economy through hospitality, transport, media, logistics, and retail activities.
The festival also serves as a unifying platform that brings together families, youths, creatives, and tourists in an atmosphere of pride and celebration. It uses food as a tool for peace, unity, identity, and community bonding, while advancing a long-term vision of becoming an annual signature tourism and commercial event on Nigeria’s cultural calendar.
This year’s edition promises a rich blend of experiences including live cooking demonstrations, chef competitions, drinks and mixology showcases, music and dance performances, lifestyle exhibitions, creative art displays, a vibrant kids’ zone, brand activations, and non-stop entertainment. Thousands of visitors are expected to throng the venue over the two days for a full sensory celebration of Nigerian flavours and lifestyle.
The festival will hold on January 3rd and 4th at the scenic Heartland Resort, behind Umezurike Hospital, Owerri, with daily activities running from 11am to 7pm. The riverside location is expected to attract large footfalls of families, youths, food lovers, and tourists seeking a relaxed yet vibrant festive experience.
Food and lifestyle vendors dealing in meals, drinks, grills, pastries, lifestyle products, crafts, and creative merchandise are also invited to participate, leveraging the platform for direct sales, brand exposure, and access to thousands of potential customers across the two-day celebration.
The Ofe Owerri Food & Drink Festival is proudly organised by Culinary & Culture Africa Ltd in partnership with the International Hospitality, Tourism & Event Framework (IHTEF)- institutions committed to projecting African culinary identity, hospitality excellence, and cultural tourism.
The festival further enjoys the strategic endorsement of key public and industry stakeholders including the Imo State Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN); the Association of Professional Chefs of Nigeria (APCN), Regisgate Hotel, and Old English Bar and Grills. These endorsements underscore the festival’s cultural relevance, professional credibility, and growing national importance.
As preparations intensify, the Ofe Owerri Food & Drink Festival is steadily positioning itself as more than an event - it is emerging as a cultural statement for Imo State and a powerful platform for projecting Nigerian cuisine to wider audiences.
The invitation to the public is clear and compelling: Come hungry… come ready… come with your family and friends.
Taste the pride. Feel the culture. Experience Authenticity. Enjoy the lifestyle.
Chibuikem Diala MIH MITPN is the Convener Ofé Owerrri Food and Drink Festival. He is also the Founder, International Hospitality Tourism and Eco-sustainability Forum and Eco-sustainability Forum (IHTEF Africa)- Organisers of Abuja Hotel Expo and IHTEF Hospitality Sustainability Summit.
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