Mashonaland West Celebrates Culinary Heritage at Amai’s Traditional Cookout in Kadoma, Highlighting Gastronomy Tourism Role in Economic Growth of Zimbabwe

Written By: Gishan Das

Gishan Das

Gishan Das is a dedicated graduate with academic backgrounds in History and Political Science and practical experience in journalism and digital content creation. He completed his History Honours from Serampore College under the University of Calcutta and Political Science Honours from Indira Gandhi National Open University in 2025. His academic credentials are supported by professional certifications including a B2 level Certification in French language, NISM Financial Education certification in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Group alongside Gishan has strong expertise in journalism, news research and SEO-based content writing. He has demonstrated skills in news analysis, fact-checking, headline creation, digital storytelling and search-optimized reporting, which are also reflected in the journalism and media skills

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May 11, 2026 13:33 GMT+5:30

The traditional cooking culture of Mashonaland West took center stage during the Amai’s Traditional Cookout Competition, which was staged today at the Odyssey Hotel in Kadoma. The competition underscored the importance of gastronomy tourism in Zimbabwe and demonstrated how indigenous food culture and cultural tourism can be combined to create economic growth and employment opportunities.

The competition, which was spearheaded by the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon Barbara Rwodzi, brought together 42 competitors representing various sectors of society, ranging from professional cooks to people living with disabilities. Their competition is just one example of the efforts being made by Zimbabwe to develop gastronomy tourism as a sustainable approach to economic growth within the country.

Showcasing Zimbabwe’s Culinary Heritage and Innovation

The Amai’s Traditional Cookout brought together traditional dishes, such as Kariba Bream, Mukorekore dessert, Gogo’s Special Drink, and Kutsengerwa kweMatunhu, a dish that has cultural significance in presenting harvests for blessings and prosperity. These dishes not only reflect Zimbabwe’s rich food traditions but also highlight the growing role of gastronomy tourism in the country’s cultural tourism sector.

One of the most innovative aspects of the event was the use of modern food science in creating new culinary experiences, such as the preparation of cassava into sadza, a traditional Zimbabwean dish. This fusion of food heritage and innovation is key to the growth of gastronomy tourism, as it allows for the creation of unique and authentic experiences that attract both domestic and international visitors.

Gastronomy Tourism: A Growing Driver of Job Creation and Economic Impact

Minister Rwodzi praised the efforts of Her Excellency the First Lady, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa, for her dedication to empowering gastronomy entrepreneurs across Zimbabwe. She emphasized how gastronomy tourism continues to create jobs and generate business opportunities throughout the tourism value chain. This includes food processing, farming, and local hospitality services, which are all integral parts of the gastronomy tourism ecosystem.

By focusing on sustainable tourism practices, gastronomy tourism helps to provide economic benefits to local communities while preserving cultural identity. As the sector grows, more local hotels, restaurants, and food vendors will benefit from increased tourism activity, leading to job creation and supporting Zimbabwe’s broader economic growth.

Gastronomy Tourism as a Key Element of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030

The gastronomy tourism sector is a crucial part of Zimbabwe’s broader vision of economic diversification and sustainable development, as outlined in President Cde. Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030. The President’s initiative to ensure that no one and no place is left behind through a Whole of Government Approach includes a strong focus on cultural tourism and gastronomy entrepreneurship as tools for national development.

Minister Rwodzi highlighted that gastronomy tourism plays a key role in Heritage-Based Tourism, helping to promote the authentic cultural experiences that Zimbabwe has to offer. By investing in local food culture and gastronomy innovations, the country is tapping into a growing global trend where travelers seek unique, immersive, and sustainable culinary experiences.

The Role of Gastronomy Tourism in Zimbabwe’s Tourism Growth

Zimbabwe’s tourism industry has already begun to see positive results from the growing gastronomy tourism sector, with an increase in tourist arrivals and a positive trend in visitor spending. As gastronomy tourism continues to grow, it is expected to play an increasingly significant role in supporting the country’s tourism economy by attracting visitors interested in authentic food experiences and cultural engagement.

The Amai’s Traditional Cookout competition serves as a model for how gastronomy tourism can serve as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, economic development, and sustainable tourism. The event demonstrated that by embracing the intersection of heritage and innovation, Zimbabwe can offer tourists a distinctive culinary journey that showcases the richness of its culture while promoting the development of the local tourism industry.

A Future-Focused Approach to Gastronomy and Tourism Growth

As the gastronomy tourism industry continues to develop, there seems to be ample potential for Zimbabwe to establish itself as a premier destination for tourists who are interested in both gastronomy and culture. As more people travel for gastronomic tourism, local communities in Zimbabwe have been presented with an excellent chance to be involved in the tourism boom happening in the country while maintaining their unique traditions.

With the success of events such as the Amai’s Traditional Cookout event, there has been evidence that the concept of gastronomy tourism will play a huge role in the development of Zimbabwe’s tourism economy in the coming years. With continuous innovation coupled with respect for its unique culture, Zimbabwe is definitely positioning itself to be among the best gastronomy tourism destinations in the world.

Image Source: Zimbabwe Tourism Authority