It was undoubtedly a competition of professional chefs yesterday as contenders were eventually separated from pretenders in the finals of the Frytol Star Challenge, which was held in Accra on Thursday.
After rigorous regional draws and cook-offs in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi, six chefs were selected to the grand-finale to see who could produce a sumptuous meal using Frytol cooking oil and other ingredients made available by the organisers within 90 minutes.
Amid drumming and dancing, the battle for a complete makeover kitchen began at exactly 10 am as hundreds of people thronged the premises to catch a glimpse.
Mrs Safiatu Amankwa – a Public Relations practitioner and caterer, Madam Christian Amoah, caterer and Madam Gladys Vanderpuye, caterer were the judges to decide the fate of the competitors.
When the curtain was brought down in what appeared to be a hard-fought contest, it was Comfort Ocran who pulled the magic to win the hearts of the judges after they tasted all the meals that were prepared by the six contestants.
The three judges were unanimous in pronouncing that the former who prepared plantain with cabbage stew was more creative, and above all, made good use of the cholesterol free frytol cooking oil.
It was indeed a joyous moment for the 53-year-old when she was pronounced the winner. For her prize, Wilmar international Limited will put up a kitchen makeover at her house and takes home souvenirs of the company.
Gladys Ankomah was the first runner-up and romped home with a brand new fridge and souvenirs.

Second runner-up also went home with a dining set and souvenirs. Antoinette Antwi-4th place, Betty Anana-5th and the only gentleman who took part in the contest, Emmanuel Boakye Mensah who placed 6th all took home consolation prizes.
In an interview, the General Manager, Commercial, Wilmar Africa Limited, Fatima Alimohamed, expressed Frytol’s satisfaction with the turn of events and congratulated Madam Comfort Ocran for emerging as the best in the Frytol Star Challenge contest.
She urged Ghanaians to patronise frytol cooking oil as it offers the best of nutrition and so affordable for everyone to purchase, as it comes in different sizes.
Madam Fatima Alimohammed disclosed that Wilmar will soon produce frytol in sachet; revealing that the company has constructed a multi-million dollar factory in Tema.
She said Wilmar would continue to produce the best of products on the Ghanaian market to project frytol as one of the biggest brands in the world.
Speaking on the due process followed before arriving at yesterday’s finals, Madam Fatima said “To qualify to take part in the promotion, shoppers within Takoradi, Accra and Kumasi had to purchase up to 2 litres of Frytol in a selected retail outlet and immediately be handed a recipe booklet. The last page of this booklet is a Frytol branded card which is torn off and submitted together with a summary of your favorite recipe.”
“Consumers were then required to submit the raffle entry bids into a drop box in any selected outlet near them. The first five names from each of the draws were given an opportunity to show off their cooking skills with the best cooks, booking their place in the finals in Accra. “