Accra, July 30, GNA - The Ghana Chefs Association (GHACA) is to participate in an international cooking competition to be held in Kenya in August, this year, to test their cooking skills and to possibly win laurels for the nation.

The Association being a member of the African Chefs Association would also be offered the opportunity to join another competition in South Africa in December, this year and then go to the World Association of Chefs' Societies Congress in Dubai in March, next year. Mr Stephen Dzilah, President of the GHACA said the Association was poised to achieve excellence in the hospitality industry by sharpening their cooking skills and offering quality and safety foods to the Ghanaian consumer and tourists.

Announcing this at a press conference in Accra Mr Dzilah said food formed an important component in the hospitality industry in addition to its importance in health.

He said the Association formed three years ago was to improve local dishes to international standards, while also seeking the welfare of chefs.

Major (Rtd.) Courage Quashigah, Minister of Health, said food remained a social determinant of health and that any food contamination would cause human life and eventually affect productivity and general well-being of the individual.

He said as food formed an important part of tourism, members of the Association must sharpen their skills and teach themselves food safety, handling and presentation to enable them to win the competition. Major Quashigah presented ceremonial clothing and other accessories to be used for the competition in Kenya to members of the Association. Mr Gary Lane, leader of the team expressed the Association's gratitude to sponsors like Koala, La Palm Casino, Ministry of Health, Kenya Airways among others for their numerous contributions and support towards the trip.