Midlands Provincial Cookout Competitions

Good morning from  Team tourism! We’re in Midlands for the Provincial edition of Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition being hosted at Mkoba Teacher’s College. Today we kick off with the professional chefs & Tertiary Students Competition and the community competition will be on tomorrow. Today Tertiary Students and Professional Chefs cook up a storm in the feat of the coveted prize of the Amai’s Traditional Provincial Cookout winner for the Midlands Province. Contestants were bright and early as they began their culinary skills showcase.

The Guest of Honor, the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi hereby represented by her Deputy Minister, Hon. Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa is now toured the contestants food displays while tasting and having a chat with contestants on their offerings. Accompanying him are the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon. Owen Ncube, the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Hon S. Sibanda and other dignitaries

The Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi represented by her Deputy Minister Hon. Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa commended the First Lady, Dr Auxilia Mnangagwa for championing Zimbabwean Gastronomy. She commended the contestants for their innovation skills which were displayed in their dishes, an indication that Zimbabwe Gastronomy cluster can thrive like other gastronomies around the world.The Cookouts are part of the Ministry’s strategy which are Heritage based as culture and heritage are key pillars of tourism.

Hon. S. Sibanda, encouraged the students to continue being innovative and to research more about the Zimbabwean food.Through science and tech Mapfura wine, Tsubvu wine, WeZhira wine and Hute jam are being now produced locally and these instil National pride thereby boosting gastronomy tourism.

Diana Mutare from Sister’s Training College Gweru is the winner of the Amai’s Traditional Cookout Midlands Province Competition in the Students’ Category. She’s over the moon that Zimbabwean Gastronomy is making a grand entrance in the culinary arena and thankful for the opportunity to show what she can do with it.

And the winner for the Amai’s Traditional Cookout Midlands Province – Professionals category is….Tendai Mapeture a Class 1 Chef at Fairmile Regency Hotel. She could not hide her tears as she won the competition. Mapeture looks forward to the National Finals in May and is determined to give her best there.