WATCH: All you can eat buffet at Bulawayo Provincial Traditional Cookout Competition

It was a traditional all you can eat buffet at the United College of Education (UCE) where the Bulawayo Provincial Traditional Cookout Competition was held yesterday, with a mother and daughter combo dominating the culinary battle for supremacy.

Miss Irene (18) and Mrs Gabriella (58) Sambo took first and second place to secure their ticket to the national finals that will be held on May 19 in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West province.

The duo exhibited various traditional delights, which impressed not only the judges but Government officials and delegates present at the event.

The food on display included juices and teas from wild berries and fruits, creamed muffins, traditionally cooked rabbit, road runner chickens as well as fruity desserts.

The Sambos spoke about their love for kitchen and particularly traditional foods, which they also added some innovation to.

The First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa launched the traditional meal cookout competition in 2020 to promote the uptake of indigenous dishes and ensure citizens benefit from their nutritional value and medicinal properties, which was a success up to the national finals in 2021. Thereafter she handed over the programme to the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry.

“We are into traditional foods, unlike refined foods that are a major cause of diseases. Traditional foods are much healthier and are good for the body. We entered this competition because of the inspiration we got from the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa. Her initiative is really bringing about change in many lives and us as people who love cooking can showcase our skills,” said Mrs Sambo.

She said her grandmother imparted all the knowledge and skills she possesses in the culinary arts.

“I would listen to instructions and do exactly what I was instructed,” she said.

Irene said she started cooking when she was very young and has learnt a lot from her mother and it comes as no surprise that they both emerged tops.

“I started cooking when I was young and my mother tells me she started when she was in Grade Two.

“Cooking is a passion, something you enjoy doing and not something you learn at school like other occupations,” she said.

Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Cde Barbara Rwodzi said she was glad to see Zimbabwean women coming out of their shells in a bid to build a thriving economy under the guidance of President Mnangagwa.

“This is beautiful, women are also major players and drivers of the economy. When the First Lady introduced this competition, she had a vision which we are all seeing now. The initiative is not only improving people’s livelihoods through eating healthy foods but is also promoting tourism. Her aim is to have part of our tourism sector driven by gastronomy tourism,” said Deputy Minister Rwodzi.

She said she was impressed with some ladies’ innovations.

“I didn’t know that you could make a pie out of okra and mopane worms, muffins made out of … what do you call it umqobolo. Surely Bulawayo has to win this competition. The texture of the food is just sublime. I tasted biscuits made out of baobab and I must say I am extremely impressed. As a city I say you are blessed and this should be our major gastronomy tourism hub,” she said.

Minister Rwodzi also said the competition should teach women and young girls the ethos of family values through food.

“Women from long back knew exactly how to please their husbands and I must say that I see the same in Bulawayo. Their culinary skills are second to none,” she said.

Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Cde Judith Ncube said traditional foods were important sources of nutrients.

“This initiative has seen participants becoming innovative and developing attractive recipes that can be harnessed by the tourism sector,” said Minister Ncube.

She said since the initiative started, many people have chosen to live healthy through eating traditional foods.