The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
MANICALAND Province will in the next two months host the national traditional cookout competition, an event that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Zimbabwe.
The competition was championed by the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa and presents participants with an opportunity to showcase their cooking skills in traditional dishes that are synonymous with immense health and nutritional benefits.
The country will also host the upcoming United Nations (UN) Tourism Africa Gastronomy Showcase in Victoria Falls in July —a testament that the First Lady’s efforts to unlock the country’s vibrant culinary heritage are bearing fruit and winning international recognition.
This was revealed by Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi during the two-day provincial Amai’s Cookout Competition at Mutare Teachers’ College on Wednesday.
Minister Rwodzi was represented by her deputy, Honourable Tongai Mnangagwa at the event that also seeks to unlock gastronomic tourism potential.
“This year, the vibrant event is coming to Manicaland and the competition is expected to draw participants from across the nation eager to share their gastronomic talents and celebrate Zimbabwe’s diverse food culture,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi applauded local participants who battled it out to be crowned the provincial cuisine winners, saying the prepared dishes had a unique touch peculiar to the province.
“My simple assessment of dishes prepared today is that the province has a unique and peculiar touch. New ideas were demonstrated, different from the previous editions, which means we are growing in terms of creativity and innovativeness. It shows that culinary tourism, as you may be aware has evolved and has become an avenue for exploration, connection and personal growth,” she said.
The 2024 competitions will be slightly different from the previous editions in that contestants will compete in three different categories — students in tourism, professional chefs and community.
“The main purpose of having these three categories is to provide a plain level field in the spirit of inclusivity, leaving no one and no place behind. President Mnangagwa stresses the need to collectively work together for socio-economic development of the country, hence my ministry’s strategy to rope in youths, communities, men and women to join the bandwagon towards the realisation of the national vision,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi also said her ministry is committed to ensuring a more equitable distribution of tourism benefits among communities to eliminate poverty.
Director in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr Dennis Murekachiro who was representing Professor Amon Murwira said gastronomy helps preserve culture through practice.
“Gastronomy tourism is heritage-based, and this is exactly what we are promoting in our heritage-based curriculum. Travellers when they visit destinations, they are after traditional meals which are different from what they are used to, and the competition is breeding that kind of lifestyle within our communities. I urge all participants to open culinary businesses and sell your skills after participating in such competitions,” he said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza applauded the First Lady for coming up with the Cookout Competition initiative.
Minister Mugadza urged tertiary students to seriously consider culinary arts as a possible career option.
Mr Delany Mumba, of Mutare Teachers College, was adjudicated as the provincial winner in the students’ category.
He prepared cowpeas samosas and vegetable springles.
“I also had a stuffed hangaiwa (dove), grilled barbeque fish, road-runner, pumpkin cake and baobab custard. I am looking forward to portraying more of my skills during the national competitions,” he said.
Mr Shingirai Zisengwe, of Manica Skyview School of Hospitality came out tops in the professional chefs’ category.
