The African jollof rice war is coming to Finland courtesy of Diaspora Glitz Magazine , a quarterly magazine for the African diaspora in Finland. Restrictions have been lifted in Finland, events will start coming up and one of the events that Diaspora Glitz Magazine will organize is the African Jollof rice challenge in collaboration with Stadin Ammattiopisto, a vocational school owned by the Helsinki City Council. The event will take place on 6 April, 2022.
The Jollof rice war has occurred in many countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Nigeria, etc. The Jollof fued between Nigeria and Ghana is the fiercest.
According to BBC, The origins of Jollof rice can be traced to the 1300s in the ancient Wolof Empire (also called the Jolof Empire), which spanned parts of today’s Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. Rice farming flourished in this region, and Jollof began life as a dish called thieboudienne, prepared with rice, fish, shellfish and vegetables
A plate of Jollof rice
With its seductive aroma, deep-red colour and spicy flavour, Jollof rice is the undisputed queen of West African kitchens. Countries involved in this unending war over who makes the best Jollof rice are Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cameroon, The Gambia and Senegal.
Jollof rice is to West Africa what paella is to Spain, risotto to Italy, biriyani to India and fried rice to China.
The publisher of Diaspora Glitz Magazine, Obi-West Utchaychukwu has promised an interesting event which aims to promote African culture in Finland. Seven competitors coming from different parts of Finland will compete for the coveted crown of the King of Jollof rice in Finland.
This is the first edition of the Jollof rice challenge, “we didn’t get grant for the project but next year, we hope to get money for it, Obi-West stated. “
The winner of the Jollof rice challenge will be gifted with cash which was donated by Uyanna Export Oy and Nomad Food and Wine Oy, both are Turku based companies owned by African entrepreneurs. The winner will grace the front cover of the next issue of the magazine and other gifts. Other competitors will be appreciated with different gifts.
The African diaspora Finland are so happy with the project. Fans and supporters of Diaspora Glitz Magazine are the sponsors of the event. Two African shops will give free ingredients for the cooking competition and others supported with cash and gifts.
Cameroon Representative
Sierra Leone Representative
Senegal Representatives
Ghana Representative
The Gambia Representative
Nigeria Representative
Liberia Representative
