British-Nigerian cultural advocate Abass Tijani is taking his popular YouTube series My Tasty Naija from the screen to the streets with the launch of the show’s first-ever food festival in London.

Scheduled for Sunday, July 13, the My Tasty Naija Food Festival will be held at Chingford Rugby Club, transforming the venue into a lively hub of Nigerian food, music, fashion and culture.

Launched in January 2024, My Tasty Naija quickly grew from a digital food series into a vibrant cultural movement. The show highlights Nigerian culinary gems across the UK and internationally—from suya joints in Peckham to top jollof kitchens in Wembley.

A standout moment in the show’s journey came during a trip to Manchester where the team profiled Yetti’s Kitchen, founded by Chef Yetti Tabai—one of the few Nigerian chefs with an in-flight catering licence. In a memorable segment, she hosted the crew on a private jet flight from Manchester to Glasgow, where she served high-end Nigerian dishes midair, raising the bar for the global perception of Nigerian cuisine.

The show has also spotlighted Nigerian restaurants abroad, including Kunle Afolayan’s Afefeyeye Restaurant in Nigeria and the Enish branch in Dubai, cementing the idea that Nigerian food transcends borders.

Now, with the festival, Tijani is bringing the essence of My Tasty Naija directly to the public.

“This is more than just a food event,” says Tijani. “It’s about preserving our culture, celebrating our identity, and creating unforgettable experiences.”

The one-day festival promises a rich mix of flavours and entertainment, with over 20 vendors serving traditional Nigerian dishes, snacks, and drinks. Attendees will also enjoy DJ sets spinning Afrobeats and highlife music, alongside fashion, arts and crafts exhibitions.

Another major attraction is the Junior Chef Competition, where teenagers aged 13 to 17 will go head-to-head in a live jollof rice cook-off.

The event runs from 1pm to 8pm. Full details and tickets are available at www.mytasteinnigeria.com.