Sierra Leone Wins the Culinary Crown Cooking Competition 2026

Margaret Konteh of Sierra Leone was crowned the winner of the inaugural Culinary Crown cooking competition, “The Jollof War,” after hours of intense cooking on September 5, 2026, at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain, 340 Provencher Blvd, Winnipeg.

The event, which drew over 310 attendees, was organized by Chef Alex in collaboration with Chef Scott Hyndman, President of the Winnipeg Branch of the Canadian Culinary Federation to celebrate African cuisine and culture through one of the continent’s most iconic dishes. Five African countries: Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria competed for the Culinary Crown title.

Every chef who took part went home with a trophy in recognition of their effort. Chef Alex also handed out a personal award of his own, the “Chef’s Kiss Award,” given to the contestant he felt cooked with the most eloquence and skill on the day.

The competition was inspired by a long-standing debate over which African country makes the best jollof rice. For its first edition, talented chefs and culinary coaches represented their countries on the day.

Speaking to the media, Chef Alex Bockarie, founder of Chef on Demand and Xpress Chef Kitchen in Winnipeg, explained that the maiden competition was built for the community.

“Culinary Crown was actually born out of a passion for the industry,” Chef Alex said. “I decided that the first competition should be between Africans, and what could have been better than the jollof rice that we always fight about in West Africa?”

He added that unlike most competitions, where rivals can leave as enemies, his goal was the opposite. “At the end of the day, all the competitors are friends, the attendees are friends, and all the judges and everybody share that togetherness, bringing the community out,” he said. “So as much as it is a competition, it was about togetherness.”

The atmosphere was filled with dance, laughter, and cultural performances before the winner was announced.

Reactions from the Crowd

Attendee Seun Soyemi said the experience was great overall, though he felt the judging could have been fairer. “I love the organization, I love the overview of the whole concept, bringing unity to African cuisine,” he said. “It was such a relaxing experience, just watching the chefs doing everything. It brings the creativity, the ideas, the fun, the adventure, and the suspense to the event.” Seun offered simple advice to the winner: “Keep the flag flying. I want to wish the winner all the very best.”

Mariatu Kanu praised the day’s cultural performances. “It was beautiful! Oh my God, first the dance competition, where every country danced. It was beautiful, I loved it,” she said. She also spoke proudly of the winner: “I’m so proud of her, she really did a good job. She’s one of the people who, anytime we have an event, cooks the best food for us. Even at my wedding anniversary, she was the one who cooked the chicken. She’s a good cook!”

Dami, a Nigerian supporter, called the event wonderful and historic. “Being the first of its kind in Winnipeg, I think it was really amazing,” she said. “It was wonderful to see fellow African countries coming together to celebrate something that brings us together. The whole atmosphere was really charged up, and everyone was excited to support their own country.”

She added that the anticipation was her favorite part. “We had to wait about two or three hours for the chefs to finish cooking. “That anticipation looking forward to tasting the different countries’ dishes was one of the things for me, and I was not disappointed.” Her advice to the contestants: “Every dish was delicious. Every one of them is a winner. They should pat themselves on the back, they’ve done a good job.”

For two hours of cooking and showing their skills, some of the competitors reacted to the whole competition.

William Brown, representing Liberia, said he was thrilled just to take part. “Man, I was so happy! My biggest dream is to open up a restaurant one day. Now, here I am in Winnipeg,” he said. He congratulated the winner while promising to return: “She put in pretty hard work, and I’m proud of the hard work she put in. But next time, I’m coming to get it.”

Chef Linda Amiolemeh-Soyemi, representing Nigeria, reflected on not winning with grace. “I was happy to have been part of the contestants today,” she said. “In any phase of life, you go through things like this, you might end up not being the winner, but there’s always another chance.”

Margaret Konteh, the Sierra Leonean winner, described the pressure of the day. “The atmosphere was a little bit warming, but we did what we could do,” she said. “I was really ready for this because I’m not a professional chef, but I’m a cook, and I love to cook. So I took my cooking experience and brought it here today to show my country people that they should trust me.”

She said the win has already sparked celebration back home. “I’m very, very happy, and I know it will go a long way. Even in Sierra Leone, people are already celebrating me winning,” she said, adding that she doesn’t expect to be Sierra Leone’s last representative. “There are a lot of people who can cook even better than me. I won’t be the last to represent Sierra Leone. They’re out there, and I’ll give them all the heads up and make sure they’re ready for the competition next year.”

Her message to fellow competitors: “Just accept it and take courage.”

According to the founder, the goal of Culinary Crown was never to start a war over jollof rice, but to bring Africans together and build a stronger community, one plate at a time.

The result is as follow:

• Winner: Chef Margaret Konteh, Sierra Leone

• Runner-up: Chef Lala, Senegal

• Chef’s Kiss Award (special recognition from founder Chef Alex Bockarie): Chef Abigail Obuobi, Ghana

Full list of contestants:

• Chef Linda Amiolemeh-Soyemi, Nigeria

• Chef Lala, Senegal

• Chef William Brown, Liberia

• Chef Margaret Konteh, Sierra Leone

• Chef Abigail Obuobi, Ghana

Judges: Chef Gerard Fletcher, Chef Rob Thomas, and Chef Allan Pineda, Chef Shawn Prevoost and Chef Scott Hyndman.

Sunday Adeola, U Multicultural.