Food enthusiasts who love the kitchen have a chance to shine as the Battle of Chefs Africa competition returns for another exciting edition. With Lilongwe auditions scheduled for the weekend of 22nd and 23rd February 2025, the event will bring together passionate chefs who are expected to showcase their skills and creativity on Malawian local dishes.
The competition which made its debut in Malawi in 2022 has become an essential platform for chefs to demonstrate their unique cooking styles and cultural heritage.
In an interview with Nation Publications, Famida Daud Aly, the founder of Battle of Chefs Africa emphasized the significance of the competition as an opportunity for chefs to connect with their roots and elevate their culinary traditions.
The event is also seen as a vital moment to inspire the public and raise awareness about the importance of local foods.
Charles Kabena, a food storyteller and a host for the upcoming podcast ‘On the Plate’, highlights the significance of the competition. “This is a great opportunity for local chefs to not only showcase Malawian cuisine but to inspire people to reconnect with forgotten foods,” said Charles who works for the SDG2 Advocacy Hub which coordinates advocacy to end hunger and malnutrition and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 of the United Nations.
With rising concerns over food-related health issues such as obesity as well as the impact of environmental factors like soil degradation and chemical usage, Charles stressed the need to look back at traditional foods and cooking methods.
“In the face of these challenges, we must turn to the past for inspiration on how to build healthier and more sustainable food systems, and this journey starts with chefs!” he noted.
The competition’s auditions will take place at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe over two days with chefs battling to create extraordinary dishes that celebrate the best of Malawi’s diverse culinary heritage. The excitement does not stop in Lilongwe as the competition will head to Blantyre on April 4th to April 5th where chefs from the city will compete at Amaryllis Hotel.
The winning chef will walk away with MK4 million with the runner up taking home MK1 Million.
This is an event that no food lover in Malawi will want to miss. It promises to be a feast for the senses, where innovation and tradition connects.
