WINDHOEK- Are you a keen cook? Do you fancy yourself as a foodie? And are you prepared to have your food judged by some of the top experts in this field? If so, then this is your time to show your capability.
Or do you want N$10,000 more in your bank account if you happen to be the first winner plus an all-inclusive stay for two at the Pelican Point Lodge in Walvis Bay as well as a Meat and Vegetable Course at the Polytechnic of Namibia, then Team Namibia is calling on you, especially if you are an Amateur Namibian cook and food fanatic to enter its high-profile competition by submitting recipes for a three-course seafood menu available on www.foodartnamibia.com .The annual competition aims to raise awareness of Namibian products and services to achieve the vision of making local products and services part of everyday life to stimulate the local economic growth.
According to Lizette Foot, the Chief Executive Officer of Team Namibia, Namibians should enter to demonstrate their love and commitment to local food and promote culinary tourism in the country. “We have so much to offer in terms of unique ingredients and local talent. Popular cooking shows such as MasterChef have created a new movement in food appreciation around the world, and through this competition we aim to inspire consumers to enjoy the wide variety of Namibian ingredients,” says Foot.
The competition is open to all Namibian residents above the age of 18 and contestants are restricted to only using Team Namibia ingredients in their recipes to guarantee the local flavouring of their masterpieces.
Culinary experts from the Namibian Chefs Association (NCA) namely, Ralf Herrgott (Chef lecturer at Polytechnic of Namibian Hotel School), Fortune Kangueehi (MasterChef South Africa Finalist) and David Thomas (Head Chef Lyons de Sables, Namibian Chef of the year from 2010 to 2013) will review all entries and select eight finalists, who will be announced at Pick n Pay Wernil on March 31. The eight finalists will be divided into four teams to cook together as a team alongside professional chefs in the final. Second winners stand to win a N$3,500 bank account from Standard Bank Namibia, a stay for two at the Olive Grove Guesthouse in Windhoek and a Bakery & Desert Course at the Polytechnic of Namibia while a third winner gets a N$1,500 bank account from Stand Bank Namibia, a four-course dinner for two at The Olive Restaurant in Windhoek and a Menu Course at the Polytechnic of Namibia.
Contestants should email full contact details together with their recipes to info@teamnamibia.com or fax it to 061307248.
The closing date for entries is March 27. The cook-off finale will take place on April 4 from 18h00 at the Namibian Food and Wine Festival, which will be held at the Nampower Convention Centre.
By Selma Neshiko