Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
AMAI’s Traditional Cookout Competition was taken to Bubi district in Matabeleland North Province, where culinary skills were on show this Wednesday.
This year’s provincial cookout competition was held at Inyathi Training Centre, in Bubi and attracted participants from across Matabeleland North Province.
With traditional delicacies informing the basis of the event, the array of dishes reflected the stance to promote healthy uptake of indigenous foods.
The participants who took part said they will continue to promote traditional foods in their homes and professionally.
“I am glad to be involved in promoting traditional diets and this the right platform to do so,” a participant said.
Introduced by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in 2019, the Cookout Competition has even grown to attract countries from regional and international platforms.
“Since its inception, this programme has empowered women and youth, leading to regional and international exports of traditional foods, company formation, and contracts with large organisations, resulting in job creation and economic growth, especially within the supply chain, and highlighting gastronomy tourism as a catalyst for economic development,” the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa said.
Among the winners were Gamuchirai Machanzi who took overall prize in the Professional Cooks Category, Simangaliso Sibanda in the Student Category and Sandra Mpofu in the Community Category.
