Ozoz Sokoh Makes History As First Nigerian Cookbook Author To Win Prestigious James Beard Award

Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage has earned global recognition once again, as culinary anthropologist and food writer Ozoz Sokoh has become the first Nigerian cookbook author to win a prestigious James Beard Foundation Award.
Sokoh, widely known as the Nigerian Food Explorer, clinched the 2026 James Beard Award for Emerging Voice in Books for her debut cookbook, Chop Chop: Cooking the Food of Nigeria, at the foundation’s annual Media Awards ceremony held in Chicago.
The James Beard Awards, often regarded as the “Oscars of the food world,” celebrate excellence in food writing, journalism, broadcasting and culinary storytelling. Sokoh’s victory marks a groundbreaking moment not only for...