Vendors at the 2026 edition of the GTCO Food and Drink Festival have commended the event’s organisation, aesthetics, and impressive customer turnout, describing the experience as both rewarding and impactful for their businesses.
The festival, which continues to attract a diverse mix of food entrepreneurs and consumers, provided a vibrant platform for small and emerging brands to showcase their offerings while engaging directly with customers.
Kofo, founder of Loaded, a brand that reimagines Nigerian street food through creatively styled fries, described her debut appearance at the festival as seamless and well-coordinated.
“It was a very competitive process to get in, but I’m grateful we were selected,” she said. “Everything was communicated clearly, from setup to operations. It’s been a very smooth experience, and I’d love to return next year.”
Loaded offers a variety of fries made from plantain, yam, sweet potato, and regular potatoes, topped with options such as oxtail, jerk chicken, asu, and shawarma-style chicken.
Also speaking, Oyinyechi of Dio’s Delight, a returning vendor at the festival, said the 2026 edition has recorded strong early patronage.
“It’s been amazing so far. Just a few hours in, and we’ve already had significant turnout,” she said, noting that the outdoor setup and improved aesthetics contributed to the overall experience.
Dio’s Delight specialises in Greek yoghurt, granola, and a range of healthy toppings, alongside beverages such as zobo.
For Adesewa from Mitch & Kay, a premium Greek yoghurt brand, the festival serves as an opportunity to strengthen customer relationships and gather feedback.
“We’re here not just to sell but to connect with our customers, hear their feedback, and improve our products,” she said, adding that the brand is also unveiling new variants at this year’s event.
First-time participant Tola Alakija, founder of Pepper Soup Box, expressed surprise at the overwhelming response from customers.
“The reception has been amazing. We were actually underprepared because of how fast people started coming,” she said. “We’re excited and looking forward to selling more over the coming days.”
Pepper Soup Box offers a wide range of pepper soup varieties, including catfish, goat meat, turkey, snail, and oxtail.
Similarly, Deji Kola Shodipo, founder of Pop & Pour Drinks, described the festival as a visually engaging and commercially promising experience.
“Everyone is putting in effort to make their brands stand out. It’s been beautiful and well-organised,” he said, adding that his expectations include expanding his network and increasing sales.
Pop & Pour Drinks specialises in pouch cocktails and event drink services.
Across board, vendors highlighted the festival’s ability to create visibility, drive sales, and foster meaningful engagement between brands and consumers.
With its blend of food, culture, and commerce, this year’s GTCO Food and Drink Festival with the theme; “Everything Food” featured 204 free retail stalls and is designed not only as a culinary showcase but also as an economic enabler.
