Saturday, 13th September 2025 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Venue: To be announced (Auckland)

The Wahine Charitable Trust, with the official support of the Consulate General of India and partner organisations -Indian Newslink, Indiaspora and Mystic Events, warmly invites you to the Culinary Chronicles curating wisdom-wellness and women

The culinary contest themed, Madam Shef’s Millets Magic - A tribute to the timeless traditions of Indian cooking and to millets – the super grain of the past, present, and future.

Event Highlights

o A vibrant showcase of homemade millet dishes — both traditional and modern — presented by women sharing cherished family stories and personal culinary wisdom

o A celebration of women as cultural and wellness ambassadors, inspiring healthier communities through the lens of food

o Supported by Indian Newslink, Indiaspora, and Mystic Events, who share our mission to uplift women-led wellness movements

Who Can Join? – Eligibility Criteria

o Open to women of Indian origin residing in Auckland.

o Each entry must include:

§ One Lead SHEF (must be female)

§ Family Sous Chefs (optional): husbands, children, parents, or extended family

All participants must agree to the use of their name, image, story, and recipe for community outreach and promotional purposes.

Registration Details

o Registration Fee: $25 (non-refundable)

o Limited to first 50 entries only

o Deadline: Registration closes on 25th August 2025

o Return Gift: All participants who complete the contest will receive a $30 gift voucher

Recipe Guidelines

Your dish must make millets the STAR ingredient and draw inspiration from:

o Ancestral wisdom

o Family traditions

o Personal stories that celebrate culture, care, and connection

Nutrition Focus: Supporting the First 1000 Days of Life. Recipes should be aligned with nutritional needs for:

o Pregnant and lactating woman

o Babies (6+ months): soft, salt-free, sugar-free millet dishes

o Toddlers: self-feeding friendly textures with balanced flavours

o Moderate use of salt, sugar, and saturated fats

Judging & Live Presentation

Shortlisted finalists will be invited to a live showcase in Auckland on the event day. Entries will be judged on:

o Innovative Use of Millets – Are you reimagining the grain?

o Storytelling & Cultural Context – Is your dish rooted in tradition and meaningfully shared?

o Visual & Emotional Impact – How does the dish connect visually and emotionally?

o Nutritional Relevance – Does it promote wellness in the first 1000 days of life?

Judging Panel: A diverse mix of chefs, nutritionists, elders, and community leaders will review all submissions.