Chefs from 17 teams participating in the Spice Route Culinary Contest checked out the Varapuzha and Ernakulam markets on Saturday, to learn and source materials for the contest beginning from Sunday at Bolghatty Palace Hotel.
There is no place quite like the traditional market when it comes to sourcing fresh, locally-grown produce, was their motto.
These chefs from 15 countries discovered a range of ingredients for the signature delicacies they will table on Sunday at the contest.
“For a cook, it is like arriving in paradise. I am impressed with the wide array of seafood on display at the market and Kerala sure can boast about it,” said Samira Janatdoust, an Iranian chef, said.
A tour of the Varappuzha and Ernakulam markets, which are well stocked with fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, meats and, of course, spices, was on top of the itinerary of the visitors as they set out to procure the ingredients in the morning.
As per the guidelines for competition, the chefs have to source all the ingredients for their dishes from these two local markets.
“We are thrilled to experience the sights, smells and sounds of the market, of vendors calling out, the fish, meat, and vegetables stacked up, and shoppers trying to find the best bargains,” said Gianluca Mennella, a chef from Italy.
Naif Bagi, a contestant from Turkey, even tried his hand at the Kerala-style “one metre chaya adi ”, a skilful tea mixing stunt that tea shop owners in ‘God’s Own Country’ proudly display to customers.
Prominent chefs from Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Oman, Turkey, Qatar, Netherlands, France, Malaysia, Italy and Japan will go head-to-head on Sunday at the international cooking competition, which is open to the public.
The culinary festival and contest is on till Monday.
