People with disabilities showed their cooking skills at the Manicaland Provincial Cook-Out Competition last Friday. Ten disabled contestants joined 40 others in the event held at Mutare Teachers College. Tourism Minister Barbra Rwodzi praised this inclusivity as matching the national goal of leaving nobody behind.
The competition divided participants into community members, disabled people, students, and professional chef groups. Two winners from each category will advance to the national finals, which will be held in Matabeleland South on May 25. Traditional foods like yams and dried vegetables filled display tables, attracting health-conscious Zimbabweans.
Varaidzo Chigidi from Buhera won in the disability category. She expressed joy about being recognized for her talents. The competition celebrates more than just food—it promotes equality through culinary culture. Officials highlighted how these events help preserve heritage and create economic opportunities in rural areas.
Manicaland became the seventh province to host these competitions this year. Only three regions remain before the national championship begins. The United Nations plans to build Africa's first Gastronomy Tourism School in Victoria Falls because of these initiatives. Minister Rwodzi called these cooking events a grassroots revolution in tourism development.
The competition divided participants into community members, disabled people, students, and professional chef groups. Two winners from each category will advance to the national finals, which will be held in Matabeleland South on May 25. Traditional foods like yams and dried vegetables filled display tables, attracting health-conscious Zimbabweans.
Varaidzo Chigidi from Buhera won in the disability category. She expressed joy about being recognized for her talents. The competition celebrates more than just food—it promotes equality through culinary culture. Officials highlighted how these events help preserve heritage and create economic opportunities in rural areas.
Manicaland became the seventh province to host these competitions this year. Only three regions remain before the national championship begins. The United Nations plans to build Africa's first Gastronomy Tourism School in Victoria Falls because of these initiatives. Minister Rwodzi called these cooking events a grassroots revolution in tourism development.
