Chef Dumebi Launches ‘The Twelve’: A Culinary Competition Celebrating Nigeria’s Food Talent

A new nationwide culinary competition from the Chef Dumebi School of West African Cookery will discover, celebrate, and platform talented Nigerian chefs and food entrepreneurs — culminating in a twelve-course dining experience this December.

Lagos — Chef Dumebi, culinary educator, hospitality entrepreneur and founder of the Chef Dumebi School of West African Cookery, has announced The Twelve: A Very Nigerian Christmas, a culinary competition designed to discover, celebrate and provide a platform for talented chefs and food entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

The initiative, which the press release describes as “more than a cooking competition,” seeks to bring together creativity, culinary skill, entrepreneurship and the stories behind the people shaping Nigerian food.

“Nigeria has so many talented people working in food, from professional kitchens to small businesses and home kitchens,” Chef Dumebi said in the announcement. “Some have built successful businesses, while others are still finding their way. I wanted to create something that gives them an opportunity to be seen, to challenge themselves and to share what they can do.”

How the Competition Works

The Twelve is structured around a series of competitive stages:

• The Open kicks off on 14 November 2026
• The Final Twelve takes place on 28 November 2026
• A Very Nigerian Christmas — a December finale featuring a twelve-course dining experience — caps the event

Participants will also have opportunities for visibility, professional connections and mentorship as part of the wider initiative.

Building a Culinary Community

The competition forms part of Chef Dumebi’s broader work in food, hospitality and culinary education. Through the Chef Dumebi School of West African Cookery and Table 12 — a training restaurant and hospitality venue in Lagos — she is developing opportunities for learning, practical experience and creative collaboration.

Chef Dumebi works across London, Lagos and Lomé, with a focus on West African food, culinary education, hospitality experiences and building food businesses that create opportunities for others.

Who Can Get Involved

Media organisations, journalists, content creators and potential partners interested in covering The Twelve or arranging an interview with Chef Dumebi to get in touch at hello@chefdumebi.com.