Caleb Otagba, 28, was the winner of the first edition of the Suya competition in Lagos State. During the competition, which was attended by hundreds of suya fans, the winner received N250,000 in cash, while other participants received gift cards.
Sooyah Bistro, a one-stop Suya culinary restaurant, organized the competition in collaboration with Vendease, Sprite and Lost In Lagos to commemorate the opening of the Sooyah Bistro outlet, Lekki branch in Lagos State.
Over 30 contestants competed in different stages of the intense competition before Otagba emerged victorious. Following his victory, Otagba, an employee of PCV Cleaning Service in Lagos, expressed his joy and thanked God, the competition’s organizers, his family, and supporters.
“N250,000 can buy a lot of things in my life.” I adore food and have discovered that my strength works best during competitions.”
“I thank Sooyah Bistro for organizing this competition and my family and supporters for their support,” he said.
Olamidun Ogundoyin, Founder, Sooyah Bistro, said the competition was organised to give joy to people, especially the youths.
“Our goal is to be the biggest and best Nigerian food chain and to do that we need to foster growth through community development and the young Nigerians.
“Today, we have organised the first ever suya eating contest in Nigeria to promote entertainment, authenticity and bringing young people together in an exciting and rewarding way.
”We had planned to host 30 contestants and give out N250,000 to the fastest person that can eat suya but today hundreds of participants showed up just to eat, have fun and showcase their skills,” she said.
According to her, Sooyah Bistro, a quick service Suya restaurant chain, was established for creating innovation on the Nigerian street food called suya.
Ogundoyin noted that suya had been eaten in a regular way for ages, hence a need for an innovation in that space.
She explained that the restaurant had developed unique food around suya, such as suya burger, suya signature rice, suya crepe, suya melt, suya signature spaghetti, suya stir fried rice and much more.
The Sooyah Bistro boss stated that the company which began operation in Lagos in 2018, had grown very fast to open eight branches across the state, while working to begin operation in other states across the country.
Ogundoyin said that as against the myth regarding suya, that suya is protein and we all needed protein in our diet, adding that it is a lean tasty meat but should be prepared, served and eaten in very clean and healthy environment.
“We prepare our suya in the most hygienic way and always ensure that the area is clean, the meat is healthily sourced from the supply chain, through processing , preparation and delivery of the food,” she said.
Victoria Agorye, Business Manager, Sooyah Bistro, said the company was happy for the massive turn out, while hoping to sustain the competition.
According to her, over 700 applicants applied for the competition .
Agorye advised Nigerians to be cautious about where they buy suya, urging them to patronize professional restaurants trained in the food business to promote healthiness, such as Sooyah Bistro.
A contestant, Favour Zubi, from Surulere area of Lagos State, expressed joy for making it to the semi-final stage of the competition.
Zubi said she had been patronising Sooyah Bistro for long because their suya was usually prepared in the most hygienic environment, and as such, safe to be eaten.
“You will not even see the suya during preparation until delivery and their environment is always so neat. I love suya, especially with moist pepper and other creative method of preparation,” she said.
