A December to Remember: Inside the GTCO Food and Drink Festival Holiday Edition

By Esther Onyegbula

December in Lagos is never quiet, but at the GTCO Food and Drink Festival Holiday Edition 2025, the season found a new rhythm, one driven by flavour, entrepreneurship and community. Set against a festive backdrop of music, laughter and the unmistakable aroma of good food, the Holiday Edition marked a vibrant celebration of Nigeria’s culinary culture and the small businesses shaping it.

Held over two days, from Saturday to Sunday, December 20th–21st, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival gave guests a fully engaging experience. However, it was clear that the children had the most fun. Their dedicated play zone, packed with exciting activities, created lasting memories of holiday joy and laughter.

From the moment guests stepped into the venue, the festival felt like a living, breathing marketplace of ideas and tastes. Families wandered through neatly arranged stalls, food lovers sampled old favourites and new discoveries, while vendors told stories of grit, growth and passion behind every dish served.

One of the standout names was Stacks and Syrup, a gourmet dessert brand redefining live dessert experiences in Lagos. Founder and CEO Amira Mohamed Abdurazak spoke with the confidence of someone who knows her product and her purpose. In just one year, her business has catered over 830 events, offering everything from bubble waffles and mini Dutch pancakes to ice cream sandwiches and freshly launched lemonade varieties.
For Amira, GTCO has been a turning point. Her first appearance at the festival earlier in the year brought a wave of event planners and long-term clients, proving that the platform delivers more than foot traffic, it delivers results. Her bold money-back guarantee on what she confidently calls the best soft-serve ice cream in Lagos became a talking point once again at the Holiday Edition, drawing curious guests and loyal fans alike.

Nearby, the grills sizzled at Munches After Dark (MAD), a fast-food brand built on consistency, quality and speed. Founder William Abib, a hospitality professional with over 15 years of industry experience, returned to GTCO for the second time, confident in the festival’s impact. Having seen increased visibility and customer growth after the May edition, MAD’s presence at the Holiday Edition reaffirmed GTCO’s role as a serious business accelerator for food entrepreneurs.

Innovation also took centre stage at Crinkles, a plantain-based brand offering a fresh take on a familiar snack. Unlike conventional plantain chips, Crinkles prides itself on versatility, pairing easily with yoghurt, salads or enjoyed as a stand-alone treat. Represented by marketing lead Somukele Fredrick, the brand saw impressive engagement and near sell-outs, a clear sign that Nigerian consumers are eager for creative reinventions of local favourites.
Beyond the stalls, the festival’s impact resonated strongly with attendees. Bamidele Obende, who attended with his two children, described the event as a powerful driver of community and economic growth. By giving vendors access to large audiences, he noted, platforms like GTCO allow talent to thrive and small businesses to scale. His daughter, Efe, captured the mood perfectly, excited by the atmosphere, the children’s play area and the promise of delicious food waiting to be explored.

More than a food fair, the GTCO Food and Drink Festival Holiday Edition became a celebration of possibility.
Created by Guaranty Trust Company GTCO to support local communities, promote small businesses, and celebrate Nigeria’s rich food and cultural heritage, it brought together entrepreneurs chasing growth, families seeking shared experiences and food lovers eager to taste the richness of Nigeria’s culinary landscape.

In doing so, GTCO once again proved that when culture, commerce and community intersect, the result is not just an event, but a lasting tradition.