Bhubaneswar: On the occasion of Raja Parba, a unique festival celebrated across Odisha, the School of Hotel Management (SHM) of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) deemed to be univrsity organised a Pitha competition in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
As part of this competition, different types of pithas prepared by girls and women above the age of 18 years were displayed. Over 30 contestants participated in this competition.
Different types of Podapithas such as Sapuri Chaula Podapitha, Pumpkin Podapitha, Rice Podapitha, Kheera Podapitha, Biri Podapitha, Chhatu Podapitha, Mehula Podapitha, Mandia Podapitha, Amrutabhanda Podapitha and Lau Podapitha were displayed.
Similarly, Budha Chakuli, Chenamanda, Biri Khaja, Soyabeen Chunk, Jamukoli Chitau Pitha, Amba Kakara, Chandrakanti, Suji Sijha Manda, Puradia Manda, Suji Kakara, Guda and Suji Arisha Pitha, Palua Manda, Kheera Gaiantha, Jamukoli Mitha, Jamun Manda, Jamun Modak, Carrot Chitau, Mandia Kandamula Rasabali, Mandia Khiri Gayantha, Mandia Pitha, Mandia Kakara, Amba Chitau, Bela Pitha, Kadamba Pitha, Arisa Muan Pitha, Chena Phula, Enduri, Mandia Manda, Coconut Modak, Khua Gayantha Piatha, Aparajita Gayantha Pitha Khiri, Sagu Rasabali, Amba Kakara, Bhrusanga Patra Chakuli were also displayed.
To assess the culinary skills of the participants, Prof Sushant Ranjan Chaini, Dean of the Institute of Hotel Management, Jachinder Jena, HR Head of Lyfe Hotel Bhubaneswar, Chef Satya Soubhan Lenka and Prof Patitapaban Lenka joined as judges and determined the standards of the food.
In this competition, the taste, preparation, appearance, presentation and uniqueness of the food prepared by the contestants were judged.
Prof Chaini gave the welcome speech and thanked the contestants who participated in the competition and encouraged them.
Jena, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said the Pitha competition is a way to express the culture of Odisha in a very unique way. This is not just a competition but an opportunity to showcase the hidden talent of women.
He praised the institution for this innovative effort to showcase the talent and art of women and girls in the cake competition organised by SOA SHM on the culture and tradition of Odisha.
SOA Vice Chancellor and Registrar Prof Bibhuti Bhushan Pradhan said it is important for women to be self-reliant and to showcase their hidden talent. He appreciated the efforts of the contestants for their innovative ideas.
All the contestants who participated in the competition were awarded.
