By Staff Reporter
Masvingo’s leading chef, Rejoice Gundura, proudly represented Zimbabwe at the 2025 Colours of the World Fair held recently in Turkey, where she showcased her culinary talent at an international stage.
Gundura qualified for the prestigious expo after winning a provincial cooking competition in 2024 and later finishing as second runner-up at national level, earning her a place among the country’s top three chefs.
Speaking on the sidelines of the expo, Gundura expressed pride in representing Zimbabwe, highlighting the positive reception of the country’s cuisine by other cultures.
“I’m proud to be a Zimbabwean gastronomy chef. Our food is healthy and well-received. It was an honour to demonstrate how we prepare and serve our traditional dishes in real time
“I run a restaurant that serves gastronomy dishes, this is both my passion and my profession,” she said.
She also praised the Masvingo City Council for supporting First Lady Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa’s culinary programmes and encouraged fellow chefs to remain committed to promoting local gastronomy.
“I want to thank Masvingo City for their unwavering support of Dr. Mnangagwa’s initiative. We appreciate it as a city. I urge other chefs to keep the fire burning—as the Shona saying goes, ‘Hukama igasva hunozadziswa nekudya’ (Relationships are incomplete without sharing food),” said Gundura.
With seven years in business, 32-year-old Gundura is the force behind two of Masvingo’s popular restaurants Eland and Reflections serving the best traditional meals and braai.
The Colours of the World Fair, launched in Istanbul in 2022, celebrates global cultures through traditional performances, culinary exhibitions, handcrafted artworks, and more.
Zimbabwe is currently ramping up efforts to promote gastronomy tourism as part of its cultural and economic development strategy.
