Ghana’s culinary landscape will take centre stage on August 29 as the third DCS Culinary Expo brings together chefs, hospitality professionals, students, food entrepreneurs and enthusiasts to explore innovative ways of presenting Ghanaian cuisine through modern culinary techniques.
Organised by Dainess Chef School (DCS), the Expo will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), Accra, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is free to enter the event grounds but to participate in the demo, it comes at a GH¢50 per demo or GH¢150 for all seven (7) demos.
With the theme ‘Culinary Innovations: A Ghanaian Perspective’, the event seeks to promote Ghanaian cuisine through technical excellence, creativity and innovation while showcasing the versatility of indigenous ingredients through contemporary culinary techniques inspired by global standards.
Principal of Dainess Chef School, Pamela Sarkodee, described the Expo as a melting pot of industry professionals brought together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and develop advanced technical skills in cooking and pastry.
Unlike previous editions, this year’s Expo will shift its focus from recipe demonstrations to practical culinary techniques that participants can apply across a wide range of dishes. “We are not teaching recipes. We are teaching skills. We realise that our patrons and partners are all industry professionals, so coming with recipes defeats the purpose of application. Teaching a skill allows for a wider application versus teaching a fixed recipe,” Ms Sarkodee explained.
Participants will be introduced to advanced culinary methods including spherification, gelification, edible glass-making and oil extraction, techniques commonly used in modern gastronomy and fine dining. Among the highlights will be demonstrations on creating caviar through spherification, producing edible glass for pastry applications, and harnessing the natural starch in plantain through gelification to create gel sheets for a refined presentation of gobɛ (beans and plantain).
Elevating Ghanaian ingredients for global audiences
The demonstrations will feature indigenous ingredients such as kontomire, plantain and beans, illustrating how traditional Ghanaian flavours can be elevated through Afrofusion and contemporary culinary techniques without losing their authenticity.
According to Ms Sarkodee, the objective is to challenge conventional perceptions of Ghanaian cuisine by demonstrating that local dishes can meet international culinary standards through technical innovation and creativity. “We want to portray our cuisine in a way that defies what we have known to be the stereotype when it comes to the expectation of what it looks like. We are looking at the food industry internationally, where technicality, advancement in skill and molecular gastronomy are important. Can we play at that table? By all means, we can,” she said.
She added that Ghana’s culinary story extends well beyond its internationally recognised jollof rice.
Food tourism and hospitality dev’t focus
Beyond the demonstrations, the Expo will also feature discussions on food tourism and sustainable food systems, highlighting the growing role of cuisine in promoting Ghana’s tourism and hospitality sectors. A keynote presentation on ‘Promoting Sustainable Food Systems in Ghana’ will headline the programme, alongside discussions on culinary innovation, food tourism and the future of Ghanaian cuisine. Also, celebrity chef and content creator, Chef Abby will give a talk on her origin story, from content creation to food tourism.
GTA endorsement
The Expo has received the official endorsement of the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), which says the initiative aligns with its mandate to promote sustainable tourism development and position Ghana’s diverse culinary heritage as a key tourism product. In its endorsement, the Authority noted that culinary tourism plays an important role in showcasing Ghana’s rich cultural heritage, strengthening the tourism value chain, creating employment opportunities and positioning the country as a preferred tourism destination.
The Expo is being organised in partnership with the Chefs Association of Ghana, Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), Ghana Food Movement, Marriott Hotel, Café Bar Noir and White Restaurant.
Representatives from these organisations and establishments will deliver demonstrations and presentations, providing participants with practical insights into contemporary culinary practice and hospitality excellence.
The DCS Culinary Expo is expected to provide a valuable platform for chefs, caterers, hospitality professionals, students and aspiring culinary entrepreneurs to sharpen their technical skills, exchange ideas and discover innovative ways of presenting Ghanaian cuisine for both local and international audiences.
Organised by Dainess Chef School (DCS), the Expo will take place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences (GAAS), Accra, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is free to enter the event grounds but to participate in the demo, it comes at a GH¢50 per demo or GH¢150 for all seven (7) demos.
