KOHIMA — Merennunsang Lemtur has been declared the winner of Naga Chef
Season 11 and walked away with a prize of INR 3 lakh on Monday at Naga Heritage
Village, Kisama.
Speaking to
the media after winning the competition, he expressed his gratitude to his
family and all those who supported him throughout his journey in the competition.
Talking
about his plans, he said he would like to learn more about Nagaland's food,
travel around the state, gain knowledge from others, and enrich his skills to
take Naga cuisine to the global stage.
Lemtur said
he started cooking when he was in Class 7. He would watch food shows and learn
from the TV programmes, which gradually became an integral part of his life.
His passion then led him to pursue a professional course in home baking and
cooking under Oui Chef, further refining his skills. Lemtur is currently
working as the head cook at the Jubilee Memorial Centre (JMC) under Kohima Ao
Baptist Church.
The
competition among the top four contestants started on December 2 and concluded
on Monday, December 9, during the Hornbill Festival celebration at Kisama.
The top
four contestants, namely Merennunsang Lemtur, Gaily T Trakha, Hamngam
Linghoikim Hengna, and Pfutsuvielo Ladu, were asked to run their own stalls at
the Hornbill Festival, where they were judged not only on their cooking skills
but also on their entrepreneurial spirit.
The main
focus of the Naga Chef competition is on Naga cuisine.
The judges
for the competition final were Rovi Chasie, Naga cuisine expert; Alemjungla
Jamir, proprietor of Naga Bowl; Kevitsu Doze, organiser; Nune Chase, Youth Net
director; and Vekutholü Vero, founder of Hetika Kitchen.
