The 2024 National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) Gastronomy Festival billed to hold in Abuja on May 31, will feature the participation of diplomatic missions in Nigeria from Spain, China, Senegal, Congo DR, Trinidad and Tobago who will showcase their country’s foods and beverages at the event.
This was confirmed by the organisers of the annual NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, a masterpiece of gastronomy tourism that attracts over 5000 visitors and tourists.
Targeted towards bridging the gap in the dearth of skilled gastronomy and culinary personnel in the sectors in Nigeria, the NIHOTOUR Gastronomy 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.
The theme for this year’s festival is “Sustainable Food Production from Farm to Table.” Participation in the leading food festival is free of charge to organisations, food exhibitors, tourists, and visitors.
The festival will feature exhibition of Nigerian foods and beverages, from the country’s six-geographic zones by NIHOTOUR, exhibition of international cuisines by foreign missions in Nigeria, and exhibition of signature foods by leading chefs and restaurant franchises in Nigeria. Other activities, in the arena of the foods’ exhibitions, are live cake making competitions by culinary schools in Abuja.
As part of the festival lined up activities for this year, the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership with NIHOTOUR, will host a Masterclass for culinary schools and Chefs in Lagos, on Sunday May 26 and in Abuja on Wednesday May 29. Chef Alex Marugan, the celebrated chef from Madrid Spain, and his team, will be teaching 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 mandates 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).