A KITTY group of experts in the art of cooking mutton curry has carted off the coveted $100,000 grand prize in a mutton curry competition held early last month on the grounds of the Starlite Drive-in Cinema at Montrose, on the lower East Coast.
Trailing the ‘Kittyphonians’ to take second and third place respectively were the Montrose posse (which was awarded $75,000 and a trophy for its efforts), and the Jaikaran posse (which came into a cool $50,000 and a trophy). In fourth place was the Anil Professional group which came off to $25, 000 and a trophy.
The event, coordinated by Princess Nellie Promotions, saw a total of 11 groups come to the starting line, namely: Anil’s Professional Crew; D. Jaikran Crew; Ibrahim Curry Crew; Kamla Establishment Crew; Kitty Crew; Kuntie Hot Sari Curry Crew; Lusignan Grass Field Crew; M. Lalgie Crew; Mighty Raja Company Crew; Montrose Crew; and Royston Photo Crew.
By the time the proverbial dust settled, there were just the four finalists. The judges were Dwarkanath Budram (Chief Judge); Prithi Singh; Patricia Rolehr; Gail Singh; and Taresa Foster.
Points were awarded for the banner, cooking utensils, fireside, mode of dress, preparation and display, aroma of curry, ingredients, taste and texture of meat, type of firewood used and appearance of environment.
Of the three special prizes up for grabs, the ‘Kittyphonians’ carted off the ones for ‘Best Fireside’ and ‘Best Dressed Group’,  while the Montrose posse took the one for ‘Best Overall Presentation’.