Chef T unveils ‘Delicious or Disaster’ season 3

By Tolulope Oke 

Nigerian food content creator Tolani Tayo Osikoya, popularly known as Chef T, has unveiled the third season of her cooking competition show, Delicious or Disaster, promising viewers a bigger and more intense experience as the programme continues its journey as one of Nigeria’s emerging culinary entertainment brands.

The official unveiling took place at MAB Studio, Ikeja, Lagos, marking the first major media event for the show since it debuted three seasons ago.

Speaking at the event, Chef T said the decision to formally introduce the new season was necessary because of the significant growth the show has recorded.

“Because this is a bigger season, it was a no-brainer to officially announce the Delicious or Disaster brand to the world,” she said.

The chef, who has built a reputation for creating food content that connects with a wide audience, reflected on the humble beginnings of the show, revealing that the first season was produced under challenging conditions.

According to her, Season 1 was filmed entirely in a two-bedroom apartment, which also served as accommodation for the production crew.

“During the day, we’d turn it into the set; at night, my crew and I would sleep there, then pack up again by 6 a.m.,” she recalled.
The production later expanded in its second season, moving into a bigger location and attracting its first sponsor. However, Chef T said Season 3 represents a major transformation for the brand, with a purpose-built studio, increased industry support and a stronger production structure.

“It’s beyond Chef T now. We are starting a movement. We want people to know that we have our own cooking show, our own MasterChef, in Nigeria, by a Nigerian, with Nigerian ingredients, promoting African food to the world,” she said.

Season 3 will see the return of the show’s competitive format, with contestants battling for recognition while facing demanding culinary challenges designed to test their creativity, skill and ability to perform under pressure.

Judge Folagade Banks, popularly known as Mama Deola, revealed that the selection process for the new season was highly competitive, with the team reviewing more than 500 entries before narrowing the contestants down.

She explained that the goal was to feature participants who already possessed strong culinary abilities and were ready to showcase their talents on a bigger platform.

“We have over 500 contestants. We actually sit down to watch all 500 videos because what we wanted for Season 3 was not just any kind of contestants. We wanted people who are skilled already and who kind of have knowledge already to come on the show and just showcase their skills,” she said.

The entries were eventually reduced to 80 contestants before the final 40 participants were selected, with four contestants competing in each episode.

Beyond the competition itself, Mama Deola said the new season would introduce a wider range of participants, including older contestants, parents and young adults, in a bid to make the show more family-oriented.
“What you are expecting for Season 3 is a huge upgrade, from the sets to the kind of contestants,” she said.

Known for her strict judging style, Mama Deola also addressed the show’s reputation as one of the most intense cooking competitions in Africa.

“Delicious or Disaster is called Africa’s most brutal cooking show. There’s a reason why we tagged it that,” she said.

She explained that while the judges would maintain the pressure and high standards associated with the programme, the approach would be more intentional.

“You will not see any of that for Season 3, but you will still see the brutality, in a very, very beautiful and nice way,” she added.

The returning judge also spoke about what the experience has taught her, describing the show as a reminder that growth is possible regardless of where people begin.

“It has taught me that there’s always possibilities. Nothing is impossible. Start however you can. You’re going to get there,” she said.

The judging panel will also feature returning judge Gbolabo “Captain Gibbs” Adebakin, whose involvement Chef T credited as a major contribution to the show’s development.

According to her, Captain Gibbs reached out about joining the third season, a move she said helped push the production forward.

The launch also attracted government representatives, sponsors, former contestants and members of the creative community.

Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Abisola Olusanya, praised Chef T’s contribution to Nigeria’s culinary space, describing the show as part of the growing movement to promote food culture and tourism.

She also highlighted Chef T’s involvement as the face of the Lagos Food Festival and the role such platforms play in showcasing Nigerian cuisine.

Former contestant Hillary, who featured in Seasons 1 and 2, shared her experience on the show, describing the second season as particularly challenging.

She recalled a difficult fire and ice-themed challenge involving taro that tested her ability to think under pressure. However, she credited Chef T’s encouragement after the competition for helping her see the experience as a stepping stone.

Season 3 contestant Amarachi also described her participation as an opportunity that pushed her beyond her comfort zone and exposed her to a new world of possibilities.

Other contestants, including Gloria Egwatu, actor and culinary enthusiast David Comperfield, Jennifer and Jaiyeola Idris, shared their excitement about being part of the new season.

With the latest edition, Chef T said Delicious or Disaster is positioned to continue growing as a Nigerian-owned cooking platform with ambitions beyond local recognition.

“People are already comparing us to other cooking shows, and that’s fine, because Delicious or Disaster is here to stay,” she said.

The third season premieres on September 25.