Carer wins Black History Month cooking contest

Omolara Agboola said she stuck to her family recipe, but made it slightly less spicy for a wider audience

A care worker from Nigeria has won a traditional cooking contest in celebration of Black History Month.

Omolara Agboola took part in the annual Ipswich Jollof Extravaganza, organised by the charity Karibu, which supports African and minority ethnic families in Suffolk.

She said: "I love cooking, I cook a lot. I only heard about this a few weeks ago and I was happy there was no-one representing Nigeria yet.

"It's just the normal recipe, but back home we use more spices so I've modernised it by reducing that, so making sure everyone can enjoy it."

The different national variations of Jollof differed in colour, garnish and taste

Jollof is a dish based on rice cooked in tomatoes, but with many variations across West Africa.

The event on Saturday was the sixth year Karibu has held a contest in Ipswich, with Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia and Cameroon vying for the 2024 title.

Maria Mamabolo, a trustee for the charity and host for the evening, said: "It is important because it's come from the west of Africa.

"Most Africans [from other regions] don't know about that taste, so we thought we could bring it to the people.

"Even people in England, the indigenous of this country, can also taste what we enjoy."

Judges Brian Powlett, Frank Clarke and Ivya Scott had the first taste of the four anonymised dishes at the extravaganza held at Burlington Church hall, Ipswich

The contest was judged by chef and food educator Brian Powlett, Ivya Scott from the Ipswich Windrush select committee and Frank Clarke, who runs Your Food and Mood.

Mr Clarke said: "Food is generational so it's important to keep these type of events going for everybody.

"If you look around the room, one event of Jollof rice has brought everybody together.

"They're all having fun, they're all smiling. That's therapy!"

About 50 people attended the extravaganza, tasting the different rice dishes along with salad, fried plantain and chicken

According to the 2021 census, the percentage of people in Ipswich who identify as black, black British, black Welsh, Caribbean or African is 3.5%, up from 2.3% in 2011.

The theme for 2024 Black History Month is Reclaiming Narratives, with events held in October across the country.

Events in Suffolk include:

• A creative writing competition run by Lowestoft Town Council

• Sounds of Colour at the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, on 25 October

• The Windrush Reflection Room, at Sailmakers shopping centre, Ipswich