Two days. Two experiences. Food Exhibition & Fair on Day 1, Awards Gala on Day 2. Reserve your place at KWASHATE 2026.
Event: KWASHATE 2026 — Kwara Edition of the Hospitality & Tourism Excellence Awards
Dates: Friday 4th – Saturday 5th December, 2026
Venue: Starwood Hotels O2 Arena, Ajase-Ipo Road, Ilorin, Kwara State
KWASHATE 2026 is a two-day celebration. Day 1 is the Food Exhibition & Fair — open to the public, featuring local cuisine, vendor stalls, and the live cooking challenge. Day 2 is the Awards Night & Gala — a black-tie ceremony crowning the winners of the 18 award categories and the Face Off KWASHATE finale.
An all-day celebration of Nigerian food, culture, and culinary talent. Open to the public. Features vendor stalls, live cooking competition, local ingredient showcase, and cultural performances.
A black-tie gala celebrating Kwara's hospitality and tourism champions. Features the 18-category awards ceremony, the Face Off KWASHATE finale, and an evening of fine dining and entertainment.
The Food Fair is open to the public and to the industry. Restaurants, caterers, food entrepreneurs, and vendors come together to exhibit, sell, and compete.
Want to exhibit as a vendor? Full vendor packages, booth tiers, and pricing are on our Food Fair page. View Food Fair vendor packages →
Each table accommodates 10 guests. Prices include a plated dinner, drinks, and a seat at the Gala.
Limited tables available. Reservations are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
What the extra ₦250,000 buys you:
| Benefit | Standard | VIP |
|---|---|---|
| Seats per table | 10 | 10 |
| Seating position | Standard | Front-row |
| Dinner | Plated dinner | Premium plated dinner |
| Drinks | Welcome drinks | Complimentary drinks throughout |
| Photo access | Standard | Priority access |
| Event programme | Included | Included |
Message us on WhatsApp with which day(s) you want to attend. We will confirm your reservation and provide payment details within 3 business days.
Payment method: Bank transfer only. Bank details will be shared once your reservation is confirmed.
Individual tickets for Day 2 (Gala) will be confirmed at a later date. Currently, Day 2 is sold by table of 10. Day 1 (Food Fair) is open to individual entry at the door.
Yes. Day 1 is open to the public. Individual entry tickets will be available at the gate or via pre-registration.
Yes. Many guests attend both days. You will need a separate booking for Day 1 entry and Day 2 table or ticket.
After your reservation is confirmed. We will send bank details once we have verified availability.
Students can attend KWASHATE through Face Off KWASHATE (the professional challenge), which has its own eligibility. Learn more →
Yes. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when you reserve so we can inform the caterer.
Yes. Starwood Hotels O2 Arena has on-site parking. Details will be shared with confirmed guests before the event.
Day 1 (Food Fair): smart casual. Day 2 (Awards Gala): black tie / formal. Traditional Nigerian formal attire is also welcome at the Gala.