A Nigerian chef from Warri has captured national attention after cooking an enormous pot of traditional banga soup in a remarkable display of culinary skill and community spirit. The heartwarming event, which took place in Delta State, has become an internet sensation with videos spreading rapidly across social media platforms.
Culinary Mission for Community Unity
Mrs. Rita Asuquo, the creative force behind this massive cooking project, revealed in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng that her motivation extended far beyond simply preparing food. The chef shared that her primary inspiration was to foster unity among the various ethnic groups in Delta State following her personal experience with the devastating Warri Crisis.
"I was inspired to make the biggest pot of banga soup to bring unity among the tribes in Delta State," Mrs. Asuquo explained. "The main motive was to make sure that we all eat together. I personally witnessed the Warri Crisis, and I wouldn't wish it on any ethnic group to have such a conflict."
Three-Month Preparation Journey
The ambitious project required extensive planning and preparation spanning approximately three months. Mrs. Asuquo detailed the comprehensive process that went into making her vision a reality, from designing the custom cooking pot to sourcing authentic ingredients.
"It took me about three months to put it together," the chef confirmed. She personally visited markets to select the freshest ingredients while her team assisted with the labor-intensive process of pounding and extracting the banga. The custom-designed pot presented significant engineering challenges that required innovative solutions.
Despite facing obstacles including heavy rainfall and technical issues with the cooking equipment, Mrs. Asuquo and her dedicated team persevered. "We faced some little challenges with the pot, but we made sure we got everything under control. And it rained heavily. But my team and I were ready for anything," she recounted.
Social Media Explosion and Public Reaction
The event, documented extensively on Mrs. Asuquo's TikTok account @lolofruitie, has generated massive engagement across social media platforms. Nigerians from various regions have flooded the comment sections with reactions ranging from amazement to hunger-inspired requests.
User LobaGold humorously commented: "Everything na competition for una side... person no fit drink water drop cup," while WARRI CAKE/MEAL VENDOR noted the aromatic impact: "The aroma just full Okere market."
Many commenters expressed regret at missing the event, with cakes by kemi writing: "Blood of Jesus Una dey warri and I nor know abeg una still dey there. make I bring plate." Da_viva's Cuisine lamented: "Shuuuu, banga soup ?and people are just passing by instead of branching ,omo I wish I day warri I go carry cooler come."
The chef expressed profound satisfaction with the outcome, stating: "I'm very happy and proud of how the event turned out. It was a lot of time and effort from everyone to make it a blast."
This culinary achievement follows similar large-scale cooking endeavors in Nigeria, including Hilda Baci's record-breaking jollof rice preparation that earned Guinness World Records recognition. Mrs. Asuquo's banga soup event demonstrates the growing trend of Nigerian chefs using food as a medium for social cohesion and cultural celebration.
