THE NTN Crew, led by Brahma Persaud, has won the first prize of $275,000, a trophy and other awards at the sixth annual Digicel Curried Duck Festival, held at the Number 63 Beach on the Corentyne in East Berbice on Sunday.Twenty contestants, including some newcomers, drew a massive gathering of spectators from all walks of life, status and orientation.

Persaud said being the winner was not surprising, since he has been preparing duck curry for many years and uses all local ingredients from N& S. Mattai.

He said the secret to a good duck curry is the ingredients, but he did not reveal them.

The Purnardai Durpat group placed second and received $175,000 in cash, a trophy and other prizes; while Looknauth Durbiji, who copped third place, pocketed $125,000 in cash and received a trophy and other prizes.

In at fourth place was Robert Singh, who received $100,000 in cash and a trophy among other prizes. Fifteen of the participants received $10,000 each for their participation.

The competition was judged by four judges drawn from the private and public sectors, who said they had difficultly announcing the winner, since all the contestants’ curried duck was very tasty and well-prepared.

One of the judges, Adrian Fraser, told Guyana Chronicle that the event was well organized, and the judging was fair and without favour.

Digicel Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara said the event has been getting bigger and better each year, and was a bang this year.

“We might have to look at expanding next year, based on the response from participants. It was open to anyone, group or company; no one was excluded, and it’s a fun event, since it brings people together,” Sanichara told the Guyana Chronicle.

She explained that the competition’s name was changed from the “Digicel Duck Curry Competition” to the “Digicel Curried Duck Festival” because it is more than cooking, and is more of an event wherein a variety of Guyanese cuisine is on sale.

Aside from the cooking and foods on sale, Nishard M, and Jomo Primo called “Rubber Waist”, and local comedians Michael Ignatius and Chris Gopaul, entertained the gathering. Crown Vibes also played at intervals. There was also a dance-off competition, and winners were presented with prizes.

N. Singh Duck Curry Crew, also called Magie’s Catering from Albouystown, told Guyana Chronicle that it is the second time they are participating in the competition. The crew hired a mini bus and a car, and took 18 persons to the celebrations.