Online Reporter
Herald Correspondent
THE Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition has returned for 2025 with a new inclusive category for people living with disabilities, as part of the country’s efforts to promote gastronomy, township tourism, and community empowerment.
It was a hive of activity at Belvedere Teachers’ College in Harare yesterday, as hundreds of people gathered to witness the Harare Province cookout competition, which comprised professional chefs, tertiary students, and members of the community.
The cookout competition was divided into four categories, comprising community participants, professional chefs, students, and people living with disabilities.
The community category had 20 participants, while the professional chefs and students’ categories each had 10 participants. The newly added category of people living with disabilities had five participants.
At the centre of the competition was Zimbabwe’s signature dish, the “highfiridzi”, a delectable mix of beef and leafy greens (rape/covo or tsunga) simmered to perfection.
The stage was set for a showdown of flavours, as participants from Harare District took to the stoves to prepare Zimbabwe’s favourite dish — the renowned “highfiridzi.”
This beloved Zimbabwean delicacy is usually served with sadza and its name traces back to Highfield, one of Harare’s oldest suburbs, where lush backyard gardens supply the leafy greens that give this dish its authentic, natural flavours.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister, Barbara Rwodzi, was the guest of honour at the event, accompanied by her deputy, Tongai Mnangagwa.
Other notable attendees included senior Government officials from various ministries, such as Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Development, Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, as well as the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
“We want to thank our First Lady for this initiative and for being a patron who is giving us a good direction that is even recognised by UN Tourism which has given our destination an endorsement,” Minister Rwodzi said.
She also revealed that since the inaugural United Nations (UN Tourism) Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa held last year in Victoria Falls there has been a significant improvement in the tourism sector.
“From 2024 July up to now as we are speaking, we are experiencing a number and a number of tourists that are coming from international markets because UN Tourism has endorsed our destinations in a way.”
The cookout programme is a concept introduced by First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa in 2019.
Since then, the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has been tasked to coordinate the implementation of the programme together with provinces and other line ministries.
Minister Rwodzi also highlighted that Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition has made notable strides in inclusivity this year by introducing persons living with disabilities.
“Amai has introduced a new approach this year, bringing together people with disabilities and men who can cook for their families, promoting unity and inclusivity.”
This move aligns with the President’s vision of leaving no one behind and promotes unity and inclusivity.
From the four categories, the judges selected the top three winners, who will proceed to the national cookout competition once all provincial competitions have been completed.
The winners shared their excitement in separate interviews, eager to advance to the national cookout competition.
“I didn’t expect to win, as I had hastily prepared these dishes, but surprisingly, I emerged as the winner,” said Naomi Ngarandi, a Kuwadzana resident living with a disability, who made her debut in this year’s competition and scooped the first prize.
“I would like to thank Amai (Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa) for including persons with disabilities, as it is clear from the competition that we can compete with anyone and take our talents far,” she added.
Another participant, Ms Martha Charenga from Chitungwiza, who was the second runner-up in the persons living with disabilities category, said: “I am very excited because we managed to compete among the giants and came out victorious,” she said.
Chef Nelson Shonhiwa, who took home the top prize in the professional chefs’ category, praised the Ministry for promoting gastronomy tourism and encouraged his fellow men to participate and hone their cooking skills.
“I encourage other men out there to showcase their talents, regardless of the category. Men are often shy, but if they have a talent, they should participate,” he said.
