MILLICENT HUNGWE
Hundreds of people gathered at Masvingo Polytechnic College for the Dr Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition, a flagship event showcasing Zimbabwe’s growing gastronomy (the practice of choosing, cooking, and eating good food) tourism drive.
This event was pioneered by First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa, and the competition brought together 44 contestants, celebrating Zimbabwe’s culinary roots and cultural preservation.
The event featured four categories: Community, Tertiary Students, Professionals, and People with Disabilities, promoting inclusivity and diversity.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, emphasized community involvement in sustaining tourism development and praised the First Lady’s initiative to include people with disabilities.
“Disability doesn’t mean inability,” she remarked, highlighting the importance of accessibility in the tourism sector.
“This move reinforces Zimbabwe’s tourism industry as open to all, breaking barriers and promoting national pride,” she continued
The competition is part of broader efforts to promote culinary tourism in Zimbabwe.
Minister Rwodzi announced a government directive requiring all hotels to serve Sadza, a staple Zimbabwean dish, reinforcing local food as a key component of the national tourism brand.
This initiative aims to integrate food into the tourism value chain, creating platforms for cultural expression and economic participation.
“Tourism’s economic impact is on the rise, with over one million international tourists visiting Zimbabwe in the last quarter alone, the introduction of a 2% Tourism Levy has positioned tourism as the number one contributor to GDP, surpassing agriculture and mining.
The Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition has become a key example of how gastronomy tourism transforms everyday lives, promoting cultural preservation and national pride.
