Mrida's Earthspired announces winners for its All India Recipe Contest for nutritionists

Mrida’s Health and Wellness brand “Earthspired," which ran an All India Recipe Contest for nutritionists and dieticians in January 2019, announced the names of its winners today. The contest aimed at raising awareness of Millets as a staple dietary ingredient. The contest, organized in association with Nutrify and NII (Nutritionists in India), was judged by ace nutritionist Mr. Ryan Fernando, renowned Nutrigenomic counsellor Dr. Geeta Dharmatti and Chef Sandeep Kalra of the Trident, Gurgaon.

Earthspired All India Recipe Contest’s First Place winner was Divya Jain from Bangalore, for her Ragi tart with Bitter chocolate chilli mousse, Strawberry compote and Ragi chocolate soil. The Second place went to Saumya Pawha from New Delhi, for her Gup Chup Chaat. The third place was awarded to Rachna Sharma from Gujarat, for her Thalipeeth Tokri.

Each of the recipes received from the contestants were recreated by Chef Kalra in the Trident kitchen. Ryan Fernando also sent each of the winners a surprise gift. Earthspired also used the social media to highlight the winners and winning entries.

This contest required the contestants to use any kind of millet, a combination of millets, or any

Earthspired product as the central ingredient. Each contestant could create a sweet or savoury dish with the millets, but it had to be healthy as well as tasty. Each contestant was required to provide the nutritional information of their dishes.

The illustrious background of the judges added to the interest of the contestants:

â- Ryan Fernando is the nutritionist to two Guinness World Record holders and 2 Olympic gold medal winners. Mr. Fernando is a nutritionist to celebrities like Aamir Khan and Chiranjeevi as well as sports persons like Robin Uthappa, Harbhajan Singh and Sharmila Nicollet. Mr. Fernando is also the Founder & CEO of QUA Nutrition Signature Clinics - India’s largest chain of nutrition clinics.

â- Dr. Geeta Dharmatti is the Chief Nutrigenomic Counsellor of Gene Support as well as the Founder and Director of Geeta Nutri Heal Consultancy. She is an Executive Member of the IDA (Indian Dietetic Association) and an Associate Professor and PhD Guide at Nutrition Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth.

â- Chef Sandeep Kalra is the Executive Chef at Trident, Gurgaon. He is a celebrated chef and has opened several gourmet restaurants across the Oberoi chain. Healso won the prestigious "Most Innovative Chef of the Year 2018” award received from BBC in collaboration with Callebaut.

This event aimed at bringing together the nutritionists of the country and making them aware of the versatility and nutritious value of our ancient grains. The contest also aimed to create awareness — which would lend to strengthening and supporting our farmers to grow grains that are significantly more economically viable, environmentally friendly and healthier than rice and wheat.