Jollof Festival

The fiercest food rivalry in West Africa doesn't play out online. It plays out one plate at a time. The Jollof Festival brings that friendly competition to Oakland, where chefs representing countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and others serve their own versions of the iconic rice dish while guests taste, compare, and vote for their favorite. Live music, DJs, dance, fashion, and cultural performances keep the energy high between bites, turning the festival into a celebration of West African culture well beyond the food itself. Whether you've been debating the best jollof recipe for years or you're trying it for the first time, every plate comes with a story and plenty of passionate opinions. Come hungry, because choosing a winner is much harder than it sounds.