Rarotonga residents are in for a treat tomorrow morning when home cooks in the community battle it out in the Takurua tiopu kuru (breadfruit stew) competition at the Punanga Nui Market.

Te Mato Manava Turoto/Cook Islands Tourism is hosting the Takurua – Taste of the Season cuisine celebration that highlights local ingredients and their cultural significance, to mark the country’s 60^th anniversary of self-governance.

This year, the focus is on the nutritious humble kuru, the under-utilised crop that has been a part of Cook Islands tradition for generations.

Back in the day, one tin of expensive precious corned beef added to a massive pot of delicious chopped up kuru was enough to feed a family of 12 or more.

One of the home cooks in the competition, artist Henry Ahfoo Taripo for Team Kuru-Kuru Pa, believes “cooking with a happy heart” makes a great tiopu kuru.

Taripo said tiopu kuru is characterised by its consistency, balance and texture. 

“Importantly, making sure no single flavours are overpowering each other,” Taripo said.

“Overall, our tiopu kuru is tasty, healthy, satisfying and filling, and you don’t need kinaki, or bread on the side to fill that space.”

Taripo was inspired to join the event by a work colleague’s bowl of tiopu for lunch.

“It looked like silky smooth mashed potatoes to me in a Tupperware bowl. Anyway, he shared it with us. I took my first taste and my jaw dropped, literally… it wasn’t the usual tiopu kuru I was used to eating that’s for sure – there was no palm corned beef to be seen.

“It was amazing. We want everyone to taste it, that’s the motivation.”

The kuru cook off will get underway from 9am – 11.30am.

Home cooks who will be battling for the top tiopu kuru special cash prize of $1000 are: Kimiora Ariki ‘Kimi’, Reshmi Devi – ‘Reshmi’, Mary Goodwin ‘Grandma's Kitchen’, Tevaerangi Tatuava – ‘Her Family’s Favourite Cook’, Tila Ravuasimi ‘The Spicy Fijian’, Henry Taripo ‘Kuru-Kuru Pa’, and Takai Tua ‘Uncle Man’, from Akatokamanava Mauke.

The dish that wins the most votes from members of the public at the designated voting station at the market will be deemed the champion of the kuru trophy and receive $1000 cash.

At 10.30am, popular local chef and owner of Soul Café, Ngatupuna “Vou” William, will perform a cooking demonstration.