Winners have emerged in the just concluded Indigenous Rice Junior Chef Competition in Kano State.
The cooking competition for kids aged between 12 to 15 years was organised by the Kano chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) and supported by Vascorp Nigeria Ltd, an FMCG distribution company.
Winners of the competition were also presented with their prizes a day after the competition at a gala event.
Aisha Mansur of First Grade International School emerged top winner in the cooking competition with a cash prize of N150000, Rukayya Awaisu of Maitama Sule College came second and got N70000 and Amina Kabir Muhammed of Kuntau Girls College came third and went home with N50,000 cash.
Over 100 kids competed for the coveted awards. According to the organisers, the objective of the
cooking competition was to preserve the Nigerian food culture and inculcate traditional culinary skills among the youth in the so-called fast food generation.
In his opening remarks, Kano RIFAN chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu stressed the importance of indigenous food.
According to him” Nigeria must eat what she produces and stop her dependence on imported rice”.
A statement explained that the competition was a “flurry of cooking fun and exhibit of Nigerian food, particularly jollof rice as contestants had to cook their favourite dishes“.
Not surprising, Jollof was at the centre stage at the competition and Jolly Jollof a ready to use spice mix with chicken flavour was the star of the event.
Jolly Jollof is a ready to use blend of jollof spice mix with chicken flavour and tomato that when added to rice gives an authentic taste of jollof rice and makes a ready pot of jollof in just twenty minutes!
Available information indicates that it also comes conveniently in a derica-size 800g.
“Nigerians can now have a taste of an eclectic mix of convenience, health and
taste with the spice mix, that taste just like fresh home cooked food.
“The new product promises authentic taste which is high on convenience and affordability. Vascorp delivers these food products on safe and secured
technology to ensure that each item delivers that ‘just-cooked’ freshness
straight on plate!
RIFAN chairman commended the sponsors of the event for the cash awards and other gifts and appreciated Vascorp Nigeria Ltd. for providing the Jolly
Jollof-branded apron and cap kits as well as Jolly Jollof Paste to make the traditional Jollof rice.
Dignitaries who attended the function included the deputy governor of Kano State, His Excellency Dr. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna and representatives of the Hon. Minister of Agriculture and rural development, Central Bank Governor,
national president of RIFAN, Alhaji Aminu Mohammed Goronyo, representative of the Emir of Kano, media and corporate bodies and they all cheered the young talents who are keeping up with our food culture and tradition.
