CAMAGÜEY.- As usual in the Plaza de El Carmen during Camagüey's Culture Week, a contest of typical Camagüey's food was held, sponsored by the Office of the Historian of the City and the Culinary Association of Camagüey (ACC).

 More than 40 participants, including students from the different courses of the Association, housewives, and retirees presented attractive dishes with a strong integration of vegetables and fruits, which were later tasted by students of the Primary Education and other attendees of the community.

Members of the group Aprendiendo a crecer, created just two months ago by 12 young people aged 18 to 35 with Down syndrome, also participated. The jury awarded special recognition to Alejandro Guiérrez, Leo Pacheco, Laura Rodríguez, and Jonh Capote, for their food preparations.

The category of Traditional Dish Best Adapted to Our Days was awarded to Bárbara Duardo Pérez for her Tamale in a Casserole; in the category of Dish and Drink with the Best Pairing, Andrés Vladimir Martínez won for his Rice with Chicken and Fruit Wine.

 The Dish with the Best Justification was awarded to Edilema Sánchez Carmenate, for her Pan Patato and Ropa Vieja, while the Most Popular Dish was awarded to Ludmila López Labrada for her Frijoles Dormidos.

 Special mentions were awarded to the Tambor de yuca con picadillo, by Isabel Abad - a participant for 10 uninterrupted years in this event-; Lasagna de plantain, by Lorena Libertad; and the Bistec mayoral, by Oleimis Rodríguez.

The program included a conference by international Chef and advisor Gregorio Hidalgo Vera at the OHCC headquarters on the history, evolution, and characteristics of traditional dishes from Camagüey.

The event began in 2001, within the framework of Camagüey Culture Week, to strengthen the customs and idiosyncrasies of the inhabitants of this province.

 Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez