New Application Window, Schedule for Regional Culinary Competition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Taking into account the enthusiastic public response to its upcoming regional competition for local chefs, Kerala Tourism has decided to ensure as many interested parties get the opportunity to participate as possible.
Applicants now have until Thursday, September 8, to submit their completed forms.
The regional qualification rounds for the competition will now be held from September 19-23, with standout contestants – selected by a judging panel of culinary professionals – given the opportunity to compete in the finals at Bolgatty Palace and Resorts in Kochi on September 26, the last day of the Spice Route Culinary Festival.
“The decision to change the application deadline and reschedule the regional competition was taken after seeing the hugely positive initial public response from both professional and amateur applicants,” said Kerala Tourism Director U.V. Jose.
“It is hoped the new timeline will allow as many aspirants as possible to participate. I would urge interested parties to submit their applications before the window of opportunity closes,” he added.
Entry is open to both professional chefs and amateur enthusiasts. The winning participant and two runners-up will be felicitated during the culinary festival’s valedictory session. All contestants will be issued certificates of participation by Kerala Tourism.
Filled-in application forms – available for download from the festival’s landing page on the Kerala Tourism website (www.keralatourism.org/culinary-festival) – should be sent via email or handed in by September 8 at the entrant’s nearest competition venue: State Institute of Hotel Management, Kozhikode (Phone: 0495-2385861, E-mail: sihmcalicut@gmail.com), Food Craft Institute, Kalamassery (Phone: 0484-2558385, E-mail: foodcraftkly@gmail.com) and Institute of Hotel Management and Catering Technology at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram (Phone: 0471-2480283, 2480774, E-mail: principal@ihmctkovalam.org).
The date and time of participation in the competition will be intimated to entrants by phone, SMS or e-mail after receipt of application.
Held under the aegis of the Spice Route project, an ambitious initiative by Kerala Tourism in partnership with UNESCO, the Spice Route Culinary Festival is a first-of-its-kind celebration of flavours and friendship that will see chefs from across the participant countries sample Kerala’s cultural and gastronomic offerings besides participating in cooking demos and culinary discussions.
Further details and competition rules can be found on the Kerala Tourism website or collected from the above-mentioned institutions.