By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
MASVINGO — Zimbabwe is turning its rich culinary heritage into a tourism and economic asset, with the Gastronomy Hub at the 19th Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Tourism Expo showcasing how indigenous food can drive enterprise development, create livelihoods and strengthen the country’s destination identity.
The initiative, pioneered by the Patron of Tourism, Her Excellency the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa, in 2019, has evolved into a platform connecting ordinary Zimbabweans to the tourism value chain while supporting the country’s broader Heritage-Based Economy and Vision 2030 agenda.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Hon Barbara Rwodzi said the significant improvement in the quality, presentation and overall experience of Gastronomy offerings was evidence of the initiative’s growing economic impact.
She said the value chain extends far beyond the kitchen, linking farmers producing seeds, meat and other ingredients with processors, chefs, restaurants, hotels, airlines and recreational parks.
Importantly, the programme is increasingly demonstrating its ability to turn participation into sustainable livelihoods. Minister Rwodzi noted that some contestants who took part in the 2022 Gastronomy competitions had returned to the Expo as established producers and sellers — illustrating how a platform initially designed to showcase culinary talent can evolve into a pathway for entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
The Gastronomy Hub is also helping redefine how Zimbabwe presents itself to the world, transforming traditional foods into distinctive tourism experiences.
Innovations such as masawu ice cream and nunguru cakes, alongside Zimbabwe’s distinctive haifiridzi dish, are demonstrating the commercial possibilities of indigenous cuisine while offering visitors an authentic taste of Zimbabwe.
Minister Rwodzi said Zimbabwe was increasingly taking its culinary products to international tourism platforms as part of efforts to promote the Taste of Zimbabwe.
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