A cookery competition held at Malabar House here on Saturday turned out to be unique in many respects. Unlike the usual contests for foodies, the competition organised by the Social Justice Department focused on making dishes with Amrutam Nutrimix, supplied by the Kudumbasree Mission.
As many as 16 women selected from nine civic bodies under Malappuram Rural ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services), Malappuram Additional ICDS and Malappuram Urban ICDS took part the competition, organised in connection with National Nutrition Week observance.
Using Amrutam Nutrimix powder, they made various dishes such as cake, payasam, porridge, ada, sweet roll, masala roll and noodles. “The competition provided not only a platform for the women to showcase their cooking skills, but also an occasion for the Social Justice Department to drive home the nutrient value of Amrutam Nutrimix,” said Geetanjali, child development project officer (CDPO) of Malappuram Rural ICDS.
The contestants were given two hours for making a dish of their choice using the Nutrimix powder, supplied through Anganwadis for children between six months and three years of age. They were proscribed from using ingredients such as maida and synthetic colours.
Amrutam Nutrimix, which contains wheat, groundnut, soyabean, gram, and sugar, is given to children below three years of age as supplementary nutrition. The Social Justice Department has been conducting competitions at different levels for promoting the nutrition powder.
The competition held here on Saturday was the third stage, with the district level remaining to be held, before the organisation of the State-level contest.
District Social Justice Officer K.V. Subhash Kumar inaugurated the event. He gave away prizes to winners. Four contestants were qualified for the district-level event to be held on Tuesday. Shahina Sheri from Kodur grama panchayat, Nithusha Konneri from Malappuram municipality, Najma P.K. from Pookkottur grama panchayat, and Prajisha K. from Manjeri municipality emerged winners. Dieticians from Moulana Hospital, Perinthalmanna, and Cooperative Hospital, Malappuram, were the judges.
