Healthy yet tasty...this was the mantra for the participants who took part in the International Women’s Day cookery contest, organised by The Hindu , in association with SNR Sons College. The participants were asked to prepare a vegetarian dish in one hour, using ingredients that cost not more than Rs. 150.
All of them came up with health-conscious recipes such as dhoklas and dosas, made with multi-grain flour, soya kheema biryani, and chutney made of cucumber peel.
Said R. Singaravelavan, head of the department of Catering Science and Hotel Management, SNR Sons College, and one of the judges: “Altogether, 33 women turned up. Our youngest participant was just 13. She surprised us all with her pasta with broccoli recipe.” There was also a differently abled contestant.
Many of them cooked innovative recipes, said Lalitha Gowtham of Kovai Foodies, another judge. “Sweet potato halwa was my favourite.”
Learning experienceFor students of the college, this was a great learning experience, said Mr. Singaravelavan. “We teach them all kinds of cuisine. But there are so many variations within a traditional recipe. It is not possible to teach them all. The contest has given them great exposure to traditional cooking styles.” Some of the contestants did not use oil while others cooked the traditional way, without the aid of electricity. Manoranjitham, who is participating for the second time in the show, said she immensely enjoyed the contest. Her baked brinjal stuffed with mushroom was quite popular. “I did not make it in the oven. Instead, I baked it using a traditional method — cooking it on a bed of hot sand. You can make even cakes using this method,” she said.
Jayashree Rajeev made pineapple pidi — rice balls prepared in coconut milk, topped with pineapple pieces. Jayashree, a homemaker, said the contest has given her a confidence boost. “Usually, our cooking skills are not recognised when we are confined to the kitchen. This is a great platform for us to showcase our skills.”
The event is sponsored by Sree Daksha Properties and powered by Mahaveers. Sree Annaporna Sree Gowrisankar is the hospitality partner, HPCL is the fuel partner, Sakthi Gold is the gift partner, and the venue partner is Shri Nehru Vidyalaya School, Coimbatore. The mall partner is Fun Republic, Coimbatore. Auto Sports Club is logistics partner and the Experience Partner is Trio Event Manager.
The prizes for the cookery show and the Heels on Wheels rally will be distributed at Fun Republic Mall, between 5 p.m. and 6.30 p.m., on March 9. The Heels on Wheels rally will be flagged off at Shri Nehru Vidyalaya School on Robertson Road, R.S. Puram.
