Home cooks in the community will have the opportunity to display their tiopu kuru (breadfruit stew) culinary skills at Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism’s “Takurua – Taste of the Season”, an annual celebration of cuisine that highlights local ingredients and their cultural significance.

The “Takurua – Taste of the Season” is being held to celebrate Cook Islands’ 60^th anniversary of self-governance this year.

The focus is on the humble kuru, the under-utilised but highly nutritive crop, a staple food that has been a part of Cook Islands tradition for generations.

Cook Islands Tourism’s Tiopu Kuru Cook-Off for home cooks gets underway next week on Saturday, February 22, from 9am – 11.30am, at the Punanga Nui Market.

Tourism’s digital marketing coordinator Esther Tetava says the competition celebrates both the traditional and modern uses of kuru, encouraging creativity while honouring its deep-rooted heritage in local cuisine.

Professional chefs or restaurant owners are not eligible to enter. There is no registration fee, however, the competition is limited to a maximum of seven contestants. Individuals who are keen to compete need to register by contacting Tetava at esther.tetava@cookislands.travel or calling 29435.

“Additionally, kuru and ingredient support will be provided to the participants,” said Tetava.

She says the Tiopu Kuru Cook-Off is a crowd-favourite competition where attendees will vote at a designated voting station. The dish that wins the most votes will be crowned the winner with its cook taking home the golden Kuru Trophy and $1000 cash.

“The winner will be determined by the votes from the crowd at the event.”

Each participant will need to provide a pot of their special tiopu kuru, along with utensils for serving samples.

Cook Islands Tourism will provide support to assist with the purchase of ingredients, kuru - supplied the day before the cook-off, tasting cups and gloves to ensure food safety.

There will be a designated station that will provide a tent, a table and two chairs, and two bain-maries to keep the dish warm, and 100 sample cups for crowd tasting.

Each contestant will be responsible for their own setup to prepare and present their dish comfortably.

Each competitor will receive a Cook Islands Tourism goodie bag as a token of appreciation.

At 10.30am, there will be a celebrity chef showcase that will feature a chef demonstrating their culinary expertise using kuru.

Meanwhile, in partnership with Tauranga Vānanga/Ministry of Cultural Development and Te Tango Enua, the secondary schools’ Ta’u Umu event will be held at Te Puna Korero/Ministry of Cultural Development grounds from 7.30am – 1.30pm on Friday, February 21.

Tourism will conclude its Takurua series with a Mystery Taste Tour evening, limited to 90 guests, on Tuesday, February 25, from 5pm – 9.30pm. There will be live entertainment, storytelling and a Takurua feast. For tickets, email takurua@cookislands.travel.