GTCO Food & Drink Festival 2026: Chefs Camari Mick, Domique Leach Lead Interactive Masterclass on Global and Soul Food Cuisine
LAGOS – Culinary education and cultural exchange took the spotlight at the as chefs and delivered an engaging, hands-on masterclass exploring global cooking techniques and American soul food traditions.
The session, which attracted a large and enthusiastic audience, combined practical demonstrations with interactive participation, giving attendees the opportunity to learn directly from the chefs while preparing a variety of dishes.
Chef Camari Mick opened the class with a foundational lesson on vinaigrette preparation, explaining emulsification—the process of combining oil and vinegar into a balanced dressing. Participants joined in whisking the mixture, adjusting flavors with garlic, thyme, honey, and pepper to achieve the desired taste.
The vinaigrette was subsequently used to prepare a black-eyed pea salad, paired with fresh vegetables. The chef emphasized the importance of allowing the mixture to sit, enabling flavors to develop fully. Alongside this, a fruit compote made from strawberries and blueberries was cooked into a rich, multi-purpose sauce suitable for desserts and breakfast dishes.
Further into the session, attendees were introduced to a spicy mustard sauce, carefully heated to achieve the right texture, while attention shifted to the preparation of chicken croquettes. Volunteers participated in shaping and coating the croquettes before frying, as the chefs provided guidance on oil selection and safe cooking practices.
Chef Domique Leach brought an additional dimension to the masterclass, focusing on American soul food and barbecue techniques. His segment highlighted the depth of flavor, seasoning balance, and cultural heritage behind classic soul food dishes, reinforcing the importance of storytelling through cuisine.
The class also featured sweet potato biscuits, offering a creative adaptation of a traditional recipe and demonstrating how local ingredients can enhance familiar meals.
Throughout the session, both chefs maintained a lively and inclusive atmosphere, encouraging questions, offering substitutions, and demonstrating how culinary techniques can be adapted across cultures.
The masterclass concluded with a tasting session, where participants sampled the prepared dishes, rounding off an experience that blended technical skill, cultural insight, and hands-on learning.
The session underscored the growing importance of the GTCO Food & Drink Festival as not only a commercial hub but also a platform for culinary education and global gastronomic exchange.
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