Sierra Leone Wins the Culinary Crown Cooking Competition 2026

The debate is finally settled… or is it? 🍚🔥

On September 5, 2026, five African nations went head-to-head at the Centre Culturel Franco-Manitobain in Winnipeg for the inaugural Culinary Crown Cooking Competition: "The Jollof War." Chefs representing Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Nigeria brought their A-game to settle the age-old West African debate once and for all: who really makes the best jollof rice?

After hours of intense cooking, dance, and cultural performances in front of over 310 attendees, Chef Margaret Konteh of Sierra Leone walked away with the crown, with Chef Lala of Senegal finishing as runner-up.

Winner: Chef Margaret Konteh, Sierra Leone
Runner-up: Chef Lala, Senegal
Chef's Kiss Award: Chef Abigail Obuobi, Ghana

This event was organized by Chef Alex Bockarie, founder of Chef on Demand and Xpress Chef Kitchen in Winnipeg, in collaboration with the Canadian Culinary Federation, Winnipeg Branch.

"It's not about starting a war, it's about bringing Africans together and building a stronger community, one plate at a time." — Chef Alex Bockarie

👀 Watch till the end to see the full reactions from the winner herself!