Break out your chef’s apron and time to look for your grandmother’s book of recipes as Eko Kampung and Eco Ponies Garden, with the support of the Brunei Tourism Board is organising a national cooking competition in December.
Called ‘The Nyirik Brunei Culinary Challenge 2017’, the competition seeks to find the best cook that each district has to offer.
The competition will see six contestants from each district compete in making traditional or Malay kuihs, or cakes, where winners will receive gift vouchers, award certificates and other prizes.
Siti Kaprawi of Astera Consultant, the event management company for the competition, said that they are answering the call of the Tourism Development Department to organise exciting events for the first ever Brunei December Festival, which aims to showcase Brunei as a preferred tourism destination during the month in order to increase international visitors and stimulate inbound tourism, as well as stimulating the growth of domestic tourism.
“We chose Nyirik as the brand for this event, and another event that we are organising, which is the Perabang Lema (Night Run in the Tutong dialect) because the nyirik (a large green, banana like leaf) leaves are an ingredient in many local dishes such as (to wrap) Kelupis and Nasi Lemak,” said Siti Kaprawi.
Contestants have to a resident of the district, at least 18 years old, and must not be a professional chef. The entry fee for each contestant is $20.
During the competition, they must bring small equipment and kitchen utensils such as cutting boards, knives, pots and pans to the competition as well as any other material needed to cook and serve.
They must also bring their own ingredients, though the organisers will provide nyirik leaves, salt, sugar and water to be shared between all contestants.
The challenges will be held at the Tutong Waterfront on December 10 from 10am to 11.30am, Tamu Aneka Bangar, Temburong on December 16 from 11am to 12pm, Menara Cendana Kenangan KB on December 23 from 2pm to 3.30pm and at the Pasar Pelabagai Barangan Gadong on December 30 from 8pm to 9.30pm.
Contact Siti at +6738218853 or email ekokampungbrunei@gmail.com for the application forms. Deadline for submission is 15th November 2017.
