Ugandan chef Catherine Nalule to fly flag at World Tapas Championship
Chef Catherine Nalule secured third place at the Africa Tapas Competition, earning her a spot in Spain's global culinary event.
Kampala-based chef Catherine Nalule will represent Uganda at the 10th World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain, on November 11. Nalule, also known as Chef Cathy, earned her place by finishing third at the inaugural Africa Tapas Competition held on October 3 in South Africa. She competed against seven chefs from across the continent, creating small, sophisticated dishes within a strict budget of USD 1.90 per portion.
Nalule, who works as a pastry instructor at the 7star Culinary Institute in Kampala, is the first Ugandan to ever compete in the World Tapas Championship. The Africa Tapas Competition featured chefs from seven African nations, with South Africa's Sasha-Lee Small winning first place and Egypt's Adham Khaled taking second. Organizers will cover all travel and accommodation expenses for the 16 finalists.
Ugandan TV host Douglas Lwanga and model Judith Heard have publicly celebrated Nalule's achievement, calling it a significant moment for the nation. Her participation aligns with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities' efforts to promote Uganda's food culture as a tourism driver through chef training and showcasing traditional dishes.
Why it mattersUgandan chef Catherine Nalule's participation in the World Tapas Championship promotes Ugandan gastronomy internationally as part of a government push to boost tourism.