Tracy Moyo
A group of young culinary stars from Little Lillies Primary School is rewriting the recipe for gender equality, with boys and girls aged 6-11 showcasing their skills at the prestigious Amai’s Cookout Traditional Competition provincial finals in Lukhosi, Hwange.
These junior chefs, part of a groundbreaking program established in 2023, prepared traditional meals using garden-fresh ingredients while explaining their dishes in local languages – proving that empowerment starts young.
“We believe one doesn’t wake up being a woman – you start from being a child,” said Nokuthaba Mahlangu, the visionary school head of Little Lillies Primary School. “Our junior chefs are here to learn from the mothers competing today, exhibit our meals, and enhance our cooking techniques.”
The program has already made waves across Zimbabwe, with the children participating in competitive events at Tsholotsho DASSAF and Chinoyi NASSAF, plus exhibition showcases in Binga, Harare, Lupane, and Victoria Falls.
Anashe Chinyoka, one of the young chefs, proudly explained: “We cook traditional meals using crops from our garden and bake cakes too. We’re a group of boys and girls all passionate about cooking.” Mrs. Moyo, Matabeleland North’s Provincial Head of Women’s Affairs, emphasized the event’s significance: “This initiative empowers women in our communities while enhancing culinary skills. What began as a national cookout now has seven districts competing for the 2025 crown.”
Held annually, the competition has become a powerful platform for intergenerational learning. The Little Lillies Junior Chefs program demonstrates how early education and hands-on experiences can transform children into ambassadors for both cultural preservation and gender equality – one delicious dish at a time.
