HYDERABAD: Continuing its successful series of Express Cookery Contest, The New Indian Express, in association with the residents of Hill County, Bachupally, Nizampet, organised a cookery contest with talented homemakers and working women competing with each other on Saturday. Hill County boasts of lush green surroundings dotted with luxury villas and stylish apartments.
The participants were asked to prepare biryani (vegetarian or non-vegetarian) and kheer and bring it to the venue. They had to explain the ingredients used, the reason for variant they’ve used, procedure, etc.
Inam Khan, celebrity chef of The Steak House, Banjara Hills, who also cooks for stars such as Mahesh Babu, was the chief guest and the jury along with Manju Latha Kalanidhi, City Editor for Indulge and Hyderabad Express, who tasted every dish presented on the occasion.
“So many variations of the same dish and so much of innovation, every single dish in its own special way. Apart from this, the talented women have got a platform to portray their skills which otherwise are recognised only by their families. Many dishes had ingredients like dry fruits, millets, homemade masala, etc. I am impressed that people prefer healthy ingredients in their food,” Chef Inam added.
More than 100 women attended the cookery contest and many of them were pleased to showcase their kitchen wonder.
S Aparna who was announced as the winner for veg-biryani expressed her joy: “It was a challenging contest and each dish had its own specialty. It was a lot of fun. We hope to participate in such events henceforth.”
The event had all the ingredients of a fun weekend – yummy food, a spirit of participation, shopping, nail art, joyful shrieks of kids, happy chatter of women, prizes and momentos and the anticipation for the Indo-Pak T20 match later that evening.
Winners in veg-biryani category:
Frist prize: S Aparna
Second: Ritu Agarwal
Third: Shailaja S
Winners in non-veg biryani category:
First Prize: Mani M
Second: Y Divya
Third: S Rashmi
Winners in dessert category:
First Prize: Mona Agarwal
Second: Manjira
Third: M Aysha