‘Food Quest’, New Digital Food Show Debuts With Opeyemi Famakin As Host

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

‘Food Quest’ —a new digital food show targeted at the younger generation to experience some of Nigerian and African delicacies that are near extinction— has debuted.

The first-of-its-kind show, an initiative of FoodBayTV, a channel owned by Maxima Media Group, in partnership with Coca-Cola, was unveiled Saturday at an exclusive event held at The Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Speaking at the event, Oluwafemi Ogundoro, Chief Executive Officer of Maxima Media Group, said Food Quest isn’t a regular food show focused on cooking but rather a social experiment initiative designed to create an experience and memory around food for the ‘Gen Z’ demography who constituted the majority of Nigerian populace.

“Food Quest is a digital food show focused on getting the attention of the Gen Zs to experience authentic African food that is on the verge of extinction. The show was born out of the realisation that many of these millennials never experience so many rich local cuisines and snacks. Yet our food is rich and at the same time our culture is incomplete without our food,” Ogundoro explained.

He added that food is the next big thing in the world.

“China has succeeded in taking it beyond Asia, and now, you get to experience Chinese food everywhere you go including Nigeria. It is essential to take these young folks back in time to understand where we are coming from, where we are right now and how to improve our food. If these Gen Zs, who constitute about 65 per cent of the population are not aware of our basic meals, then it’s looking like we might be getting a lost generation in our hands. We don’t want that to happen in terms of food. That is why we are championing a course such as this through our channel, Food Bay TV,” he stated.

According to Maxima Media boss, the format would be using the space these Gen Zs are conversant with as the show would be primarily streamed on Instagram and YouTube.

Ogundoro noted that the target audience’s attention span is concise and has to be adequately maximised.

Meanwhile, famous food critic, Opeyemi Famakin, has been named the host of the new digital food show.