Ipswich: Hunt for the best jollof rice in town begins

This is the fifth year of the competition, which is run by Karibu African Women’s Support Group, based in Burlington Road. 

Jollof rice is a popular west African dish, which is often made with long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, vegetables and meat.  

Each year in Ipswich, people from different regions in Africa roll up their sleeves to prepare the dish, all hoping that their country will emerge victorious.  

“This is about coming together and taking pride in African culture,” explained Lara Uzokwe, Karibu’s manager. 

She explained that so far, Gambia holds the record for the most wins, having won the contest three times out of four. Ghana has won the competition once.  

Jollof rice is ypically made with long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, vegetables and meat. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Karibu manager Lara Uzokwe explained that a panel of judges will be tasting each jollof rice dish on Saturday night. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

So far, entries have been submitted by people representing Ghana, Gambia and Nigeria, but Mrs Uzokwe said there is still time for home cooks to dig out their family recipes and get in involved.  

Entrants are asked to cook their jollof rice at home, and to make the dish without meat or fish to ensure that the dish is vegetarian friendly. They will then bring their creations to Burlington Baptist Church Hall for 6pm on Saturday, September 2. 

The dishes will be tasted by a panel of five judges, before the winning cook and country is declared, at around 7pm. 

Mrs Uzokwe said that members of the public are more than welcome to attend, the hungrier, the better. 

Jollof rice reciples can vary region to region. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Jollof rice is a popular west African delicacy. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The event will also pay tribute to two people who took great joy in the contest, who have since passed away. 

Martha Grace was the reigning champion when she sadly died in December 2021. Martha (who represented Gambia) was one of the founding members of Karibu, and her memory is honoured in a mural along the Ipswich waterfront.  

Isaac Turay also took great delight in the competition, having worked in Gambia for many years. Isaac died in July last year. His longtime friend and colleague, Funmi Akinriboya of the BME (Black and minority ethnic) Suffolk Support Group, paid tribute to him, describing him as a man who could “make magic happen”.