Cooking up something special
The young cooks and below left, some of the dishes presented
Eyes wide with wonder, broad smiles of exhilaration, the atmosphere buzzing with excitement and filled with the inviting aromas of freshly cooked food – it was a late afternoon on September 25 when a Masterchef style competition for differently abled Girl Guides unfolded for the first time in Sri Lanka.
Organised by the Differently Abled branch of the Sri Lankan Girl Guides Association, the event took place at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM), in Colombo 3 where differently abled Guides from schools in Colombo –
The Ratmalana School for the Visually Impaired, Susara Balika Special Education Moratuwa, The Ratmalana School for the Hearing Impaired, Chitra Lane Special School, Merrill. J. Fernando Charitable Foundation, Meth Mehara Special Education Centre participated. A few eager younger boys from the Asian International Grammar School were also welcomed.
Winners all: Receiving their certificates
A pasta dish, fruit platter and lime juice were to be prepared by all teams of five to seven differently abled participants from each school aided by a Girl Guide of another school. “It was not difficult to recognise the young talent in our midst,” said former Commissioner for the branch of Guides with Disabilities, Marlene Dissanayake. “The girls have been practising throughout the last week to perform well today.”
That diligence surely paid off as each team presented delightful meals to the culinary lecturers of the Hotel School. However it wasn’t just the food that beguiled all those present, but the team spirit the Guides shared, helping each other through every step, as teachers and parents watched with pride. “I love cooking!” said an enthusiastic Chathurya Kodikara from the Chitra Lane Special School. “Now I can go home and make all these foods. I want to make more and more.”
“They need to stand on their feet and do the best they can in their livelihood,” affirmed Nirmali Wijeykoon, Commissioner of the branch of the Differently Abled Guides. “This event empowers them. One day, these girls may be running their own households.” The point of this programme was to teach the girls responsibility and to move forward in the world, she added.
It was heartening to see the girls with hearing disabilities describe their work to the Hotel School lecturers, who responded through sign language.
Ms Wijeykoon was deeply appreciative of the Hotel School’s encouragement. “They have been so supportive and kind.” The Hotel School kitchen was provided free for the event. Everyone was a winner and there were smiles all round as the event concluded with certificates of participation handed to the Guides by the staff. “I hope this event continues in the future and I wish them all the very best,” Nuwan Viraj Samarakoon, cookery lecturer of the Hotel School said.
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