LOMÉ – Emilie Yaméogo of Burkina Faso claimed the title of Best Chef in West Africa at the West Africa Food Festival (WAFFEST) held in Lomé, Togo, on Thursday, May 2, 2024. Yaméogo, a distinguished member of the Association of Chefs and Cooks of Burkina Faso (ACC-BF), emerged victorious over competitors from Nigeria, Ghana, and Togo.
According to Burkina Information Agency, which reported the event on its Facebook page, Chef Yaméogo presented an innovative menu that showcased her culinary skills and creativity. Her dishes included a starter of millet salad with avocado and tamarind sauce reduction. The main course featured a lamb shank confit with dried fruits, sweet potato puree, and turned vegetables. For dessert, she served a baobab powder pannacotta.
In addition to the top honor, Burkina Faso achieved remarkable success at the festival, securing multiple awards. The country won the silver trophy in the traditional cuisine category and bronze trophies in wedding cake, dessert, and local dish categories. This year marked a significant achievement for Burkina Faso, taking home a total of five trophies from the festival, a record for the nation at this annual culinary event.