A vibrant celebration of Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage recently took center stage at Christ Embassy Church in Belvedere, Harare, as the church hosted the second edition of Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition.
The event, aligned with the visionary initiative of First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, brought together 28 contestants from communities, youth, and persons with disabilities, showcasing authentic traditional dishes and local beverages.
The competition highlighted the church’s role in promoting tourism development, community empowerment, and cultural preservation, while fostering entrepreneurship and strengthening tourism value chains.
Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, emphasized the sector’s contribution to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 and Agenda 2063, praising the First Lady’s leadership in championing transformative gastronomy and religious tourism.
The event showcased Zimbabwe’s culinary identity, with dishes like chihombiro chinedovi, gwatakwata, and mutakura, alongside local beverages like mahewu and Makoni tea. This initiative underscores gastronomy tourism’s power in promoting cultural pride, healthy lifestyles, and authentic tourist experiences.
The success of Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition cements Christ Embassy Church’s commitment to preserving Zimbabwe’s heritage and contributing to the nation’s development.
As Zimbabwe strives to achieve an upper-middle-income economy, events like these highlight the potential of tourism in driving growth and inclusivity.
