Monitor Chef of the year 2005
Shahida, Motaleb Monitor Chef of the Year-2005

The first-ever countrywide cooking competition for Bangladeshi Cuisine turned out to be a grand success. The objective of the competition was to popularise Bangladeshi Cuisine.

Initiated by The Bangladesh Monitor and fully supported by Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, Emirates Airline, Square Consumer Products Ltd. and Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited, the competition styled as Monitor Chef of the year-2005 generated a response-more than expected.

The competition was held under two categories-Professional and Amateur-and more than 2000 competitors from all over the country participated. Of this huge number, five from each category were selected to participate in the final competition, held at the Winter Garden of Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, in the evening of April 13 .

Iqbal Uddin Ahmed Chaudhury, Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism attended the function as chief guest and the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Chaudhury was the special guest.

Speaking on the occasion High Commissioner Anwar Chaudhury said that his country United Kingdom has been conquered by Bangladesh chef and cuisine. In a multi-cultural nation, Bangladesh cuisine has occupied an important place, he said and added that, UK is also exporting Bangladesh dishes to other countries. Other European countries are also gradually becoming attracted to Bangladesh cuisine.

High Commissioner Chaudhury said that one of main reasons for his coming to Bangladesh instead of going to other country is his love of Bangladesh food, specially Hilsha fish. He gave couple of recipes-hilsha egg with green mango and dried fish with eggplant and chilli-- and ask all to test them.

A panel of judges headed by Professor Siddiqua Kabir, a noted nutritionist and eminent writer of cook book, selected the recipes for final round. All the finalists had to cook in front of the guests present on the occasion and the judges tasted them. Some enthusiastic guests also participated in the testing.

The followings are the finalist and top two winners Shahida Aktar from Golapbag, Dhaka in the Amateur Category and Motaleb Hossain of Buemarch Music Cafe of Dhanmandi, Dhaka in the Professional Category.

The Bangladesh Monitor awarded the winners with cash, trophy and certificates. Emirates airlines awarded them complimentary tickets, Square Consumer Products Ltd. offered free spices and Bangladesh Edible Oil free oil for one year.