Fatma Zohra Bendjelida Crowned Winner of Inaugural CANEX Junior Chef Competition

Celebrating Algeria’s Culinary Future

Fatma Zohra Bendjelida has been crowned the winner of the first-ever Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) Junior Chef Competition, a landmark event celebrating young chefs’ creativity and flair in African cuisine and culture.

Loubna Ali Cherif and Aouis Akkouch claimed the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. The competition was open to aspiring Algerian chefs aged 16 to 21 and challenged them to prepare dishes rooted in authentic African ingredients and traditions.

Two-Day Culinary Showdown at IATF2025

The competition’s two-day final cook-off took place on the sidelines of the recently concluded Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 (IATF2025). Eight talented finalists battled for top honors, including cash prizes, medals, and exclusive mentoring sessions with some of the continent’s leading culinary professionals.

Judges included renowned Chef Robert, Rabah Ourrad, Andile Sondaka, and Taymor Mason. Special guest judges included Mrs. Chinelo Oramah, Matron of the Afreximbank Spouse Network (ASNET), along with celebrated culinary figures Chef Coco and Chef Stone.

First Lady of Zimbabwe Champions Gastronomy

Delivering the keynote address during the award ceremony, the First Lady of Zimbabwe, H.E. Auxillia Mnangagwa, emphasized the importance of supporting food festivals, nurturing youth innovation, and investing in platforms that elevate African cuisines on the global stage.

“Gastronomy can become a unifying platform for culture, tourism and economic development locally. Gastronomy tourism is a fundamental component for promoting local cultures and as a major element of intangible heritage,” H.E. Mnangagwa said. “It is a key driver for socio-economic development characterised by the conservation of cultural heritage and community empowerment.”

Mentorship and Cultural Exchange

The CANEX Junior Chef Competition also aimed to showcase Algeria’s rich culinary culture while highlighting local products and providing mentorship opportunities. On the second day of the cook-off, finalists were paired into teams of two and guided by expert culinary mentors Andile Somdaka, Rabah Ourrad, and Taymor Mason, encouraging collaboration and creativity.

Afreximbank on Culinary Diplomacy

Temwa Gondwe, Afreximbank’s Director for Intra-African Trade and Export Development (Creatives and Diaspora), highlighted the significance of the event as more than just a cooking contest.

“This is more than just a culinary show. It is an intentional strategy to assert Africa’s culinary elements and African cuisine as a strategic tool for economic empowerment, and cultural diplomacy,” Gondwe said. “While African music and fashion have already captured global audiences, it’s time for African gastronomy to take its rightful place on the world stage by investing in African-owned businesses and building vibrant, contemporary African restaurant chains.”

CANEX and IATF2025: Platforms for Africa’s Creative Economy

The CANEX Junior Chef Competition was one of several gastronomy-focused activities at IATF2025, which also featured world-class demonstrations, including the popular “Jollof Wars.”

CANEX remains the largest gathering of creatives from Africa and the Diaspora, spanning industries from film and music to culinary arts, sports, and visual arts. The weeklong event in Algiers convened key continental and global players to showcase goods and services and secure business and investment opportunities within Africa’s booming creative economy.

IATF2025: Record-Breaking Success

The fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair was a resounding success, exceeding its targets with over 112,000 participants in person and online, 2,100 exhibitors, and more than US$48 billion in trade deals generated. The event attracted 20 Heads of State and Government representatives, ministers, senior officials, and captains of industry from 132 countries.

IATF2025 continues to be a powerful platform for leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), tapping into a single market of 1.4 billion people with a combined GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.