Applications are now open for the 2026 edition of the CANEX WKND 2026 Nigerian Junior Chef Competition.
Backed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, the competition invites Nigeria’s most promising junior culinary talents, aged 16 to 21, to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and cultural storytelling at the CANEX WKND 2026, set to hold from 5 to 8, November 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
How to Apply
Applications for the competition which oopened on 5 June 2026 and will remain open until 26 June 2026 can be submitted here:
Eight aspiring young chefs will earn their place on the live stage at CANEX WKND in Lagos, where they will transform African culinary heritage into bold, signature creations; making dishes that honour the flavours, traditions, and stories of the continent while presenting a fresh, fearless voice in African gastronomy.
Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open to applicants from Nigeria who meet the following requirements:
Must be aged 16–21
Must live or work in any part of Nigeria and be willing to travel to Lagos for CANEX WKND 2026.
Open to aspiring chefs, culinary students, and self-taught food creatives
How to Apply
Applications for the competition which oopened on 5 June 2026 and will remain open until 26 June 2026 can be submitted here:
