Gender is the last thing on the mind when it comes to spreading the joy of food, The Hindu MetroPlus Cookery King 2017 held at Mercure KCP was proof that food is gender-neutral. Wives, mothers and children of participants cheered their men who were sportive in encouraging their fellow contestants through the day. Food lovers from the city lined up in huge numbers, sharing recipes, interesting add-ons to the dishes that contributed to the holistic spirit of the contest.
Food for life Participants at The Hindu and Freedom Oil Cookery King 2017 contest
The tales behind each of the dishes and their names made for an interesting hearing. Like how Firangi Biryani was a product of the conventional biryani travelling around the world with its cultural changes, the catchy Hostel chicken is a simple-yet-odourless variety that a participant suggested to his friend living in a hostel. Lagan chicken not only piqued the curiosity of the attendees but also won top honours in the non-veg section. Guests were also fascinated by dishes like crispy oats chicken, potato kheer, sweet potato kebab, smokey brinjal rasam, to name a few.
Participants at The Hindu and Freedom oil Cookery Kitchen King contest
Around 113 participants across three categories — Veg, Non-Veg, and Desserts — bonded on how food and cooking were stress busters for them. They also took tips from the jury on how food gone wrong needn't necessarily be wasted, it can be tweaked or recycled to make another dish.
Participants at ‘The Hindu and Freedom oil Cookery Kitchen King contest’
The crowd did erupt in joy when a lady confessed that her husband indeed cooks better than her, even though he isn't given the opportunity in the kitchen many a time. While a participant mentioned “I impressed my wife as I made the dish, I’m already a winner”, another added, “Nothing makes for a better sight than a man cooking and a woman appreciating what he’d just made.”
Jury
*Vinay(Mercure KCP)
*Roy(Minerva Grand)
*Prabhakar Reddy (Siesta Hitech)
*Mandal (Greenpark)
*Master Chef finalist Puneet Mehta
Winners
Vegetarian section
* Hitesh Saxena
* Jaideep Singh
* Balraj
Desserts section
* KL Narayan
* Daanyal
* Hanan
Non vegetarian section
* Imtiaz
* Ajay
* Kumar
