Fadama Zongo has won the annual ‘Salah Food Fest’ cooking contest organized by leading radio brand in Ghana, Happy98.9FM.
It was truly Allah’s will for Team Insha Allah, representing Fadama Zongo to emerge victorious over the other nine (9) competing communities.
The contest saw 3-member teams each from Kasoa, Tuba, Ashaiman, Madina, Sabon, Nima, Alajo, Maamobi, Abeka and Fadama Zongo battle it out in the kitchen for the most coveted prize pot and bragging rights.
Fadama Zongo didn’t only manage to steal the show, but went ahead to wrestle the title from Kasoa Zongo to reclaim their throne as the best cooks amongst the capital’s Zongos.
The contest which took place at the Fadama lorry park on July 16, 2022 saw listeners of Happy98.9FM, friends and family of contestant gathered at the Fadama Lorry Station to celebrate the rich culture and traditions of the Muslim community.
Team Insha Allah walked home with a big fat cow as the ultimate winner and assorted products from Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix, Royal Aroma Fortified Rice, HD+, Bigoo Drinks, Verna Water and Cedar Bakes. Representatives from Madina Zongo and Maamobi Zongo also walked away with GHc1,000 and GHc500 as 2nd and 3rd place winners respectively. Other participating teams also received products from sponsors and certificates of participation.
The competition which saw contestants bring out their A game was flawlessly executed from the purchasing of food items to the final part; the amazing dishes from contestants. At the end, Fadama Zongo melted the stomach of judges to emerge winners of the contest after preparing Lagba (Tuo Zaafi made with rice and ayoyo, dried okra and kuka soups). Judges did not only grade their food as top notch, but described their customised dish presentation as one out of the box.
Contestants were scored based on hygiene, plating/aesthetics, taste and execution, creativity and originality, teamwork and discipline and the Bigoo moment (A mystery challenge to create a dessert out of any Bigoo drink flavor).
The grand finale of the 2022 ‘HappyFM Salah Food Fest’ contest, aside from the myriad of activities to engage patrons also featured exciting musical performances from industry greats, Fameye and Rashid Metal.
These made men rocked the stage and electrified the atmosphere with back to back and world class performances to the admiration of all present.
Programmes Manager for Happy98.9FM, Elwood Mantey had this to say; “We’ve achieved what most believed was impossible not only by dint of hard work, but with the support of my team and all contestants. This contest has changed the perception about Zongo communities and shown how united and supportive they are of each other. It’s been an amazing run and we as HappyFM are glad to be the intitiators and organisers of this novel event. It is with a broad smile that I say a big thank you to the management of HappyFM, the office of the National Chief Imam, our Events and Promotions Team and our dear sponsors for making this happen.”
He pledged the HappyFM brand which only seeks to do better year in year out will revise its notes and organize a grander ‘Salah Food Fest’ contest to promote and showcase the richness and traditions of the Muslim community. The 2022 ‘HappyFM Salah Food Fest’ contest was sponsored by HD+, Tasty Tom Enriched Tomato Mix, Royal Aroma Fortified Rice, Bigoo Drinks and Cedar Bakes.
