Dozens gathered to feast on the spicy rice while discussing their cultures and the diversity medway has to offer at the first competition of it's kind in the UK.
Zeenia Naqvee reports.
Zeenia Naqvee reports.
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00:00Medway's West African community gathered at the City of David Church in Chatham for
00:05the UK's very first jollof rice-making competition.
00:09Dozens came together to celebrate Medway's diversity over a light-hearted food contest,
00:13debating which country makes the best jollof rice.
00:18People from different ages and cultures got to meet people they wouldn't normally.
00:21It took about more than about an hour or something like that to make, but when I tried it I had
00:29to go and grab the, I asked to come and grab the milk.
00:33People sang and danced to Afro beats as they watched the mayor of Medway tuck into the
00:37spicy traditional dish, sun, for the very first time.
00:40Food unites us all. Celebrating our diversity, that's so important for the cohesion in Medway,
00:48for accepting different cultures, different people.
00:51But it wasn't just about the food. Locals bonded over their strong sense of community.
00:57There's a cultural exchange through food. So every month at Medway Culture Club we do
01:01offer a different cuisine and the children break bread together and that's something
01:06that we really pride ourselves on because not everyone is privy to a hot meal at a table
01:10surrounded by people who they may be meeting different cultures for the first time and
01:15it helps to break down those barriers.
01:17Support is very, very important. We collab, interact, get information, understand, support
01:28each other mentally, physically, emotionally. We talk.
01:34It's smoky and hot. Some of them are too hot for my taste, but they're all amazing.
01:40With a cheeky grin on his face, the mayor tried not to give away his favourite entry
01:44and even struggled a bit with the spice.
01:46The balance. I've got fireworks. Lots of flavours. Yeah. Have you seen the film Ratatouille?
01:54That's the Ratatouille moment.
01:57The spice kicks in after you've chewed it a bit and then the flavours start infusing
02:03in your mouth. That's what it is. In a very good way, but it's not my favourite.
02:09As you can see over there, everyone was absolutely dying to get their hands on this bowl of noodles.
02:17So I thought I'd put some to the test.
02:21Excellent. You can really taste the love and care that went into this.
02:25Anticipation built as the judges deliberated over the winning dish and the audience cheered
02:29as Nigeria took the crown for Best Jollof.
02:33Xenia Nakvi for KMTV.