A Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) Department of Tourism and Hospitality student recently stood out at the 2024 Provincial Cook-out Competition that was held at Mutare Teachers’ College on the 27th and 28th of March 2024.
Competing against 10 participants from various tertiary institutions in Manicaland Province, MSUAS student, Ms. Tamia Gwarada, won the second prize in the Students in Tourism category.
Gwarada is proceeding to participate in the national traditional cookout competitions expected to be hosted in Manicaland Province in the next two months.
The competition, an initiative pioneered by the First Lady, Dr. Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, presented participants with an opportunity to demonstrate their gastronomic skills in traditional dishes that are known for health and nutritional benefits.
Speaking during the event, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, Honourable Barbara Rwodzi, represented by her Deputy, Honourable Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, highlighted the importance of incorporating traditional foods in restaurants, hotels and social gatherings. The approach aims to promote Gastronomy Tourism through nurturing our culture, while supporting local Gastronomic heritage.
“Dishes which were prepared today testify that the province has a distinctive and peculiar culinary touch. New ideas were demonstrated, different from the previous editions. This reveals that we are developing and improving in terms of creativity and innovativeness. It shows that culinary tourism has evolved and become an avenue for exploration, connection and personal growth,” she said.
The 2024 provincial competitions were classified into three categories: Students in Tourism, Professional Chefs and the Community.
“The main idea behind the three categories is to offer a field that embraces the spirit of inclusivity, considering everyone’s participation as crucial. This comes after President Mnangagwa’s sentiments which stress the need to collectively work together for socio-economic development of the country,” said Minister Rwodzi.
Similar sentiments were also echoed by the Director of Programmes in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Dr Dennis Murekachiro, who was representing the Minister, Professor dr. Amon Murwira. He applauded the event as significant since gastronomy helps to nurture our culture through immense training.
“I urge all participants to open culinary businesses and sell their skills after participating in such competitions. Gastronomy tourism is heritage based, hence this is exactly what we are promoting in our heritage-based curriculum,” he said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, encouraged tertiary students to consider Culinary Arts as a significant and promising career route.
In attendance were MSUAS Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda, Secretary of Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Manicaland Province, Mr. Abiot Maronge, Senior Government officials, MSUAS Registrar, Dr Kudzayiishe Mudzingwa, MSUAS Chairperson of the Department of Tourism and Hospitality, Dr Cleopus Njerekai and other staff members.
