Nigerian culinary innovator, Taylor Odeje, popularly known as Chef Taylor, brought together the vibrant blend of food, fashion, music, and culture at this month’s edition of the Gold Standard Dinner Series, held in Abuja on Sunday night.
The nomadic fine dining experience, which Chef Taylor hosts monthly across different Nigerian cities, drew an impressive turnout. Sponsored by MTN Nigeria and Jameson Black Barrel, the evening celebrated the best of Nigeria’s creativity and talent.
Speaking at the event, Chef Taylor said the series was designed to redefine fine dining for Nigerians while showcasing the richness of local ingredients through Afrofusion cuisine.
“It’s one of our largest events tonight, as always, we do this every month. And yeah, so tonight is brought to you by MTN Nigeria and Jameson Black Barrel. We’re here to celebrate culture, we’re here to celebrate cuisine, we’re here to celebrate music, we’re here to celebrate Nigeria’s talent entirely, the food, the fashion.
“People think fine dining is foreign, but we are proving that our everyday meals, yam, plantain, chicken, can be elevated into world-class dishes,” he said.
Guests were treated to a carefully curated menu, starting with plantain blinis topped with tartar shake, coconut cream, and rabbit, followed by a main course of mashed yams with chicken and a rich herb-infused sauce. According to Chef Taylor, the goal was to present Nigerian meals in a way “you’ve never had them before,”
He added that beyond the food, the Gold Standard dinner contributes to the local economy by engaging a wide network of professionals.
“You have the band, the waiting staff, the mixologists, and the kitchen staff, an army of people working together. Imagine the jobs and opportunities this creates and sustains. That’s why we have to keep it up,” Chef Taylor emphasized.
The event also provided a platform for cultural expression, with fashion showcases, live music performances, and a lively atmosphere that underscored Nigeria’s dynamic creative industry.
According to him, tickets for the Gold Standard typically cost an average of ₦50,000, covering four to five courses with drinks. However, Sunday’s edition was discounted at ₦10,000, a move the Chef described as a way to make the elaborate experience more accessible.
