Chefs are always confined into kitchens of large hotels, lodges and other commercial outfits. They rarely come out from the heat, but last weekend they got a breeze of fresh air by mingling with local orphans.
Professional cooks from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania had gathered in Arusha to celebrate for the first time the International Chefs’ Day, by cooking food for local street children as well as orphans.
The Chairman of the Arusha Chefs Society, Mr Tom Owino, said here that the Chefs from around East African region would mark the international day of honoring their profession under the theme “Show Your Culinary Ability.”
The overall goal, according to the Arusha-based Chef, was to initially “showcase our cuisine through authentic state of the art signature dishes,” he said.
He added that the occasion also meant to give something back to the society. In that respect therefore, children from various orphanages and homes in Arusha were invited to the New Mount Meru Hotel to experience the signature dishes prepared by the East African Chefs an occasion which was carried out throughout last Sunday from Morning to evening.
“Apart from giving back to the community through preparing a special five star menu to ‘less fortunate members of our societies,’ we are planning to have a culinary demonstration showcasing our gastronomic and artistic talents through interactive demonstration,” noted Chef Owino.
There were about 100 chefs who attended the occasion during which more than 300 orphans from 15 orphanages were supposed to be given a hefty treat of exotic and traditional dishes.
“It is an opportunity for us to share food with orphans and the less fortunate who hardly ever have the opportunity to eat in five-Star hotels,” he added.
By MARC NKWAME, Tanzania Daily News
