Culinary contest launched

Rupchanda-The Daily Star Super Chef is back and it is bigger, better and more competitive this time around.

The fourth season of Bangladesh's biggest culinary competition, jointly organised by Rupchanda and The Daily Star, will start from November 10.

This year's competition will be held in 17 regional districts, four more than the previous year, and 30 episodes will be telecasted in ntv from February 4 next year, compared to last year's 26, said Shoeb Md Asaduzzaman, head of sales and marketing of Bangladesh Edible Oil Limited (BEOL), at a press conference held in the capital's The Daily Star Centre yesterday.

The districts are -- Dhaka north and south, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Bogra, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Comilla, Faridpur, Kushtia, Dinajpur, Noakhali, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati and Moulvibazar.

“We are trying to expand the show in newer regions. We will be happy if we can hold the competition in all the districts…,” Shoeb said.

The judges' panel for the show includes actor Tarik Anam Khan, television personality Sharmin Lucky and chef Daniel Gomes. As per the show's format, participants have to register for the regional rounds by calling 06912777888.

The prize money for the Super Chef champion is Tk 10 lakh. The first runner-up will get Tk 5 lakh and the second -- Tk 3 lakh. The fourth to 10th place-holders will also get attractive prizes and gift hampers.

In the grooming session, the selected contestants will be provided training on cooking and acting for six days. Then, 18 contestants will be selected to go to the Super Chef kitchen.

In his speech, Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, highlighted the importance of the discovery of Bangladeshi food. “Thai food has gained huge reputation and popularity in Bangladesh despite many of us does not have idea about the country properly. We want people across the world to become  fond of our food,” he added. Mahfuz Anam thanked Rupchanda for holding the competition and popularise the show gradually.

Mostafa Kamal Syed, chief of programme of ntv, and Sharmin Lucky also spoke.