DIMAPUR — The first round of Naga Chef culinary competition season 11 got underway at Urban Haat in Dimapur, where 10 contestants were judged on their cooking skills in the first round after they were asked to cook a vegetarian and non-vegetarian Naga dish each.
The chairperson of Naga Chef, Alemjungla Jamir, told Eastern Mirror that the competition began in 2013 with an aim to preserve and promote Naga food and make people know about Naga cuisine outside of Nagaland.
She informed that they have been organising the event for the past 11 years adding that the winners from season 1 to 10 are doing a great job in promoting Naga cuisine not only in Nagaland but also outside the state.
She shared that elimination rounds would start from November 23 and the top 4 contestants would cook their way to the final in Kisama during the Hornbill Festival. She informed that the top 4 contestants would run their own stall, which would be judged on their entrepreneurial spirit and the ultimate winner would receive cash award of INR 3 lakh.
Also view:
Stating that foreigners are keen to know the unique ingredients of the Nagas, she cautioned that if the Nagas are not equipped with the knowledge which has been passed down from generations, “then we may misinterpret the food. She added that Naga Chef competition is an endeavour to promote Naga cuisine.
The judges were Nuneseno Chase, director of Youthnet; Vekutholü Vero, founder of Hetika Kitchen; and Sentila T Yanger, Padma Shree award recipient and state convenor of Intach Nagaland Chapter.
Related: Naga Chef contestants attend masterclass in Dimapur