The XYZ Cook Off, XYZ’s first inter-group event of the year, was held on 26^th January, 2020, at The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution, amidst much energy and enthusiasm. For the very first time, an ‘XYZ Seniors Cook Off’ was also held, with team-members above the age of 15 – comprising collegians, moms, dads and grannies!

Both Cook-Offs started simultaneously with participants spiritedly putting together their dishes. With it being Republic Day, the theme for the XYZ Cook Off teams was ‘India’ symbolising Indian food, while that of the XYZ Seniors Cook Off was ‘Desi Tadka’ where participants had to choose a country and to add an ‘Indian Twist’ to its food.

 

The special guests of the afternoon were underprivileged children who sampled the delicacies prepared. Each team made at least one plate for one child – thus highlighting the XYZ is MAD (Making A Difference) initiative.

The judges for the XYZ Cook Off were Chef Sheetal Vanjari, Chef Shahzad Variava and Meher Sinor, whereas the XYZ Seniors were judged by Chef Fabian Namory and Chef Hooma Billimoria. After an intense round of taste tests and one-on-one interaction with all teams, the judges chose ‘Dadar na Daddies’ as winners of the XYZ Seniors Cook Off – with proud, winning dads – Percy Bharucha, Porras Jassawalla, Carl Avari and Varzavan Palkhiwalla, who took home the title and the ₹10,000 cash prize along with goodies from The Mystery Box.

Of the twenty-four XYZ teams, the winners were from the Jamshed’s Giants comprising Aafreen Irani, Delaara Amaria, Yana Patel, Ava Nariman, Zehan Wadia and Arius Dadiburjor from Cyrus’ Superstars. For the first time in XYZ’s 6 years, there was a three-way-tie between Jamshed’s Giants, Ketayun’s Conquerors and Tehmurasp’s Titans for the overall XYZ Cook Off trophy! All participants returned with a new XYZ chef hat, courtesy Uraaz Irani of Zed Uniforms and plenty of fun food memories!