Rooted in community
Multi-country competitions celebrate local knowledge, shaped around their communities.
A place at the table
Your roots. Your story. Your stage.
An African heritage-food competition celebrating the people, ingredients and traditions behind the food we love, and bringing African cuisines to global palates with care for international audiences.
Why Asali
Threethingswestandfor.
Pick it up, turn it over — every entry tells a story.
Judged on substance
An independent jury evaluates heritage, craft and context — not follower counts.
Recognition that matters
From participant and heritage contributor to finalist, category winner and country champion.
The journey
Fromyourkitchentothestage.
Follow the signs — six steps to the competition.
Choose a specific country or festival event and submit its application.
01Register- 02Qualify
Your entry is screened and reviewed.
Bring your heritage to the competition.
03Compete- 04Advance
Jury assessment determines progression.
Meet fellow finalists at the final stage.
05Final- 06Winner
Celebrate category and country recognition.
Event
DaryFestival·Chad
N'Djamena · 22 December 2026 – 6 January 2027 · Applications close 20 October 2026.
- Chad
- Festival-linked competition
- Eligibility and fees pending
Nigeria competition
Sixweeklyzones.OneAbujafinale.
One geopolitical-zone competition each week, run consecutively. Winners from all six zones compete at the grand finale in Abuja.
- North Central
- North East
- North West
- South East
- South South
- South West
- Abuja Grand Finale
Good to know
Dates, hosts, fees & prizes
Dary Festival takes place at the Dary Festival in N'Djamena, Chad. Eligibility and fees are awaiting confirmation. Payment-provider verification is in progress, so checkout is not active.
A story to share, but not sure where?
There's a place for your heritage. Let's find your category.