A food brand, Firewood Rice Nigeria, has announced the debut of its local food festival aimed at preserving Nigeria’s culinary heritage, particularly jollof rice cooked over firewood.

The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Firewood Rice Nigeria, Chizoma Chikwueke, said the event, titled the “Firewood Jollof Festival,” will be held on November 30, 2024, according to a statement.

“We are here to let everyone know that we are having our inaugural Firewood Jollof Festival on the 30th of November at Muri Okunola Park,” Chikwueke said, noting that Firewood Jollof began in 2016.

“There was a need for Firewood Jollof. We took that bull by the horn and we launched Firewood Jollof on the third of May in 2016. And from that point till now, I don’t think there’s ever been a day we have not cooked Firewood Jollof Rice.”

Chikwueke noted that demand for the firewood-cooked Jollof rice has been high, leading to a rapid expansion of her business.

“Today, we have a staff strength of over 120 people. We cater to over 50 corporates daily. We have two working outlets, and we have catered to over 3,000-plus events. Firewood Jollof has been in business for eight years, and we’re taking it a step further,” she added.

The businesswoman explained that the festival is more than a celebration of food but a commitment to the cultural preservation of what she believed captured the authentic taste of the dish.

“We’re trying to preserve that culture so that generations after us will know there’s a way to cook Jollof rice,” she said. “There are other methods of cooking Jollof rice, but it doesn’t give you that authentic firewood taste. We want to preserve this culture, this heritage, and not throw it away.”