231 exotic dishes by 177 participants

 

Exotic dishes at IMLA cooking contest  

 

Kuwait – All who attended Gulf Mart – IMLA Cooking Contest and Exhibition for Indian ladies last Friday, 15 May 2009 had a good time.  The amateur cooking competition for Indian housewives was conducted by Indian Muslim Ladies Association (IMLA), the women’s wing of Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), the largest socio cultural organization of Indian nationals in Kuwait. 

The guest of honor was Mrs. Ira Malhotra, wife of His Excellency the Ambassador of India to Kuwait who opened the food exhibition for the guests. 

Speaking at the opening of the Contest, Mrs. Ira Malhotra, wife of His Excellency the Ambassador of India, said that the IMLA contest is possibly the most interesting event for the Indian ladies in Kuwait to show their cookery talents which needs to be explored further and encouraged.  She applauded the effort of IMLA in her inaugural address to a fully packed ladies audience at the Indian Community School, Khaitan.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Akbar Kakkattil,  a well known writer and orator said: "The role of women in the society is much greater but seldom they get an opportunity to expose their talents.  He appreciated the effort taken by the IMLA and wished great success in their future endeavors”.

Sageer Trikarpur, Chairman of KKMA and NA Muneer, the president of KKMA felicitated the event.  T.A. Ramesh, the general manager of Gulf Mart, Mr. Pancili Varkey, general manager of UAE Exchange Center, Ramdas, Business Development Manager, UAE Exchange Center, Sateesh Chandra Shetty, Manging Drector of Oriental Restaurant, Abdulkader Pattillath, director of Zaika Restaurant, Jabir Sadik, Kuwait representative of Eastern Curry Powder, Apsara Mahmood, Managing Director of Apsara Bazar also were present.

The Cooking Contest was held in three items, namely Rice Biriyani (Veg or Non Vegetarian); (2) Desserts and (3) confectionery or baked items (traditional snacks, hot or sweet items).

A total 231 items were brought to contest by 177 participants.  This included 76 variety of biriyani, 66 desserts, 89 snacks. The contestants were mostly wives of expatriates from various states of India and they were allowed two out of three items to compete.

Sageer Trikarpur, Chairman of KKMA declared the result. 

Febitha Khalil won the first prize in the Dessert category while Jasina Rafi bagged first prize in the Snacks.  A young contestant and new comer to Kuwait Sabira Shaji won the first prize for Biriyani and a 3rd prize in the Dessert category.  She also won the dish of the day award. 

The remaining winners and their winning category are as follows:  Biriyani:  Rasheeda Labba (2nd prize), Sanam Nagwekar (3rd prize).  Consolation prizes:  Nafeesath Muneer, Sareina Sharif.

Desserts:  Shabana Mustaq (2nd prize), Sabira Shaji (3rd prize).  Consolation prizes:  Aggy Cyril and Kavitha Balasubramanyam.

Snacks:  Haneeya Basheer (2nd prize), Jeehan Niyas (2nd prize), Sherhan (3rd prize), Consolation prizes:  Sakeena Mohammad and Sajitha Nazeer.

The entries were judged by a panel of judges headed by Eby Joseph for originality, creativity and taste and aroma.  Eby Joseph, well known for his TV program Cooking with Eby, is an executive chef and currently with Le Meridian. Pradeep T, Dr. Sajna Munawar and Grace Saju were the remaining members of the judging panel.

Eby Joseph, the chief judge commented that the entries were of high quality and it was very difficult for the judging team to decide on winners.

“The objective of organizing this contest is promoting culinary talent among Indian ladies in Kuwait” said Arifa Abdul Fatah, the President of IMLA. The award ceremony began with the recitation of Nehla Mahmood. Namira Hisham, the general secretary of IMLA welcomed the delighted audience to the show.  Secretary, Saneeba Abdul Gafoor proposed vote of thanks.

To bring more fun and joy to visitors, the organizer has scheduled an instant salad contest in which 30 teams participated.  The winners were team comprised of Suby Fernandes, Sumayya Shukoor and Shabira Farooq.  A drawing contest for children under 10 years were also conducted to keep the children active throughout  the evening.

The group dance presented by the IMLA children gave a festive mood to the award ceremony. .Jeehan Niyaz and Kavita Balasubramanyam ably compeered the program. 

In the end, guests and participants took the opportunity to sample the dishes whipped up by the contestants after the contest results had been announced besides asking questions with the contestants and their dishes.  

WINNERS LIST

News and Photos will follow

CATERGORY:	RICE BIRIYANI
Winners	Contestant #	Item #	Name
1st Prize	GI-110	150	Sabira Shaji
2nd Prize	GI-095	143	Rasheeda SA Labba
3rd Prize	GI-130	160	Sanma Nagwekar
Consulation 1	GI-074	207	Nafeesath Muneer
Consulation 2	GI-311	311	Sareina Sharif
CATERGORY:	DESSERT
Winners	Contestant #	Item #	Name
1st Prize	GI-036	126	Febitha Khalil
2nd Prize	GI-139	147	Shabana Mustaq
3rd Prize	GI-110	139	Sabira Shaji
Consulation 1	GI-004	103	Aggy Cyril
Consulation 2	GI-055	122	Kavitha Balasubramanian
CATERGORY:	SNACKS
Winners	Contestant #	Item #	Name
1st Prize	GI-051	313	Jasina Rafi
2nd Prize	GI-042	203	Haneeya Basheer
2nd Prize	GI-052	126	Jeehan Niyas
3rd Prize	GI-205	206	Sherhana
Consulation 1	GI-119	119	Sakeena Mohammad
Consulation 2	GI-117	158	Sajitha Nazeer