VIDYAWATTIE Rampersaud and Radica Dindyal of the Dindyal Crew secured first place in the 5th annual Digicel Duck Curry Competition held Sunday at the No. 63 Beach on the Corentyne.

The event, which attracted some 20 participants, saw over $700,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs.

The Dindyals carted off $275,000 in cash, a trophy and a hamper, while Bombay Masala, which placed 2nd received a hamper, a trophy and $175,000 in cash. Coming in third was Hormala Basdeo-Bonita and Kids group who received a trophy, a hamper and $125,000 in cash.

The competition was judged on taste, aroma, texture and presentation in which a panel of judges was on hand to participate after visiting each of the 20 participants’ table on Sunday.

Radica Dindyal told this publication that she is from Number 55 Village, and was there for the very first time with some relatives and friends. She was elated and had lots of fun after winning the duck curry championship.

There was a very large crowd of Guyanese from all walks of life; some even came from East Coast Demerara, West Coast Demerara and there were even some overseas-based Guyanese.
The event featured Sally Sagram, Omadath Maraj, Jumo Primo and was presided over by Lindon ‘Jumbie’ Jones on stage. Music was provided by Crown Vibes and was sponsored by Beharry, Banks, Digicel and Guyoil.

As part of the stage entertainment, they had bun-eating, egg-throwing, dance-off and sing-off competitions, and prizes were presented to the winners on Sunday shortly after each competition.

The sponsors were presented prizes as well for their input in the Digicel Curried Duck Competition 2015 which saw many participants vying for the top prizes.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke to several of the participants, including Bonita and Kids group led by Hormeila Basdeo of Stelling Road, New Amsterdam, who was there for the first time.

There was Anil Carpen of Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice, Wesley Mentis and relatives of Cromarty Dam, Coleen Outar of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara and Vijymal Saroop of Haslington, East Coast Demerara, among others.

They were all pleased to be a part of the event with their families, relatives and friends and expressed confidence in their cooking.

Berbicians showed up at the event in tractor/trailers, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), motorcycles, tapirs (vans) and countless buses, cars and other large vehicles.

It was truly a family-oriented atmosphere in which Digicel Guyana had several booths set up for the sale of cell phones where a handset was as low as $2,900.

Digicel Guyana Public Relations Manager Vidya Sanichara said that they are the major sponsor of the event for the fifth year and annually it is getting bigger because more people are readily expressing an interest.

She added that it is part of their community initiative geared towards giving back to society and to also create good family entertainment.

By Michel Outridge