Traditional Caterer Cooking Competition in Ghana

ACCRA, GHANA – As part of the Global Based Initiative project with the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council and the American Peanut Association, USA Rice organized the third U.S. Food Products Cook-off event here last week involving foodservice professionals from different regions in Ghana.  This year’s event attracted more than four hundred traditional caterers from the various foodservice associations across the “Golden Triangle,” as the main economic hub of Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi is known.

Nine contestants competed in an exciting cook-off utilizing U.S. rice, chicken, and peanut butter in their recipes.  All contestants received valuable prizes, as well as certificates of participation, a bag of U.S. grown rice, and a carton of U.S. chicken.

The Accra event was the climax of three Regional Foodservice Seminars organized in the Golden Triangle throughout the year, where more than 1,500 traditional foodservice providers were educated on the high quality attributes and advantages of using U.S. rice, poultry, and peanut butter, as well as food hygiene and proper food preservation methods.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts of Ghana, Honorable Dzifa Gomashie who graced the occasion as the Guest of Honor, was overwhelmed by the culinary skills exhibited by the contestants.  Gomashie said that traditional caterers formed an important link in the hospitality sector of the tourism industry and their role needed to be recognized.  She applauded the U.S. food products, and said the event will go a long way to build foodservice providers’ service delivery and enhance their creativity in menu preparation.

The Regional Agricultural Counselor of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in Ghana, David Wolf, expressed his excitement over the great skills and creativity of the contestants using U.S. food products. “The cook-off certainly created a lot of excitement and exposure for U.S. rice, poultry, and peanuts,” Wolf observed.

Several TV stations and print media representatives, as well as radio stations were present at the event.  Strong media coverage will increase awareness for U.S. products among Ghanaian consumers.