By Jonah B Moyo
GWANDA – GWANDA District celebrated Zimbabwe’s rich culinary heritage with a successful Amai’s Traditional Cook-Out competition last week, showcasing the best of traditional cuisine.
First Lady ‘s District Traditional Cook-Out Competitions was held at Nyandeni Culture Village jointly with the International Women ‘s Day Celebration.
The Cook-Out Competition is the brain child of the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa. The vision of the Cook-Out Competitions is mainly to promote the consumption of our own nutritious and healthy, traditional and local food.
The First Lady has a long term vision of promoting Gastronomy Tourism ensuring, that visitors from outside always have an opportunity of enjoying the traditional Zimbabwean dishes.
The Cook Out had contestants across Gwanda District who showcased their traditional cooking skills. This year’s cookout had one man and one person with a disability, making it different from the previous ones.
Last year’s winner went on to travel the world, secure sponsorships, and even establish her own restaurant. The Cook Out brings about economic empowerment.
Most of our competitors sourced their ingredients from local farmers, thereby contributing to economic empowerment and community development.
Gwanda District’s Traditional Cook Out Competition first prize winner, Melisa Vanessa Dube, from Ward 6, revealed that the traditional dishes she prepared were inspired by recipes passed down from her elders.
“I am humbled to admit that I was not familiar with cooking all the dishes I prepared, but the valuable knowledge and wisdom shared by my elders proved to be the key to my success.
“I am overjoyed to be today’s winner and I am eager to represent Gwanda District at the Provincial Level, where I’ will strive to make our district proud,” she said.
She also encouraged that older people should teach young ones about traditional food.
“I wish to encourage all our elders to share their traditional cooking wisdom with the younger generation, ensuring that our beloved cultural dishes continue to thrive. Let us work together to preserve our heritage recipes, passing them down from generation to generation. By doing so, we will keep our traditions shining bright for years to come,” she said.
