Torchi Awards: A Celebration of Tunisian Street Food
The evening of the Torchi Awards, the first national culinary competition dedicated to Tunisian street food, kicked off with a bang at the Oceana Hotel & SPA in Hammamet-Sud. The event brought together 350 guests, including stars of the Tunisian showbiz scene, such as Nidhal Saadi, local cultural artists, influencers from Tunisia and abroad, and representatives of international media outlets.
A Festive Atmosphere
The ceremony took place in a festive atmosphere, with a warm and cozy ambiance, and a musical background boosted by traditional Tunisian music, "mezoued tounsi," played by DJ "Afrika Cassette Club" with his console and cassette tapes of retro songs from the 1990s. The evening started with a beautiful surprise from the organizers: a video clip in the form of a documentary film titled "El-makla fen" (food is an art), produced by People-Digital Brand Studio and enhanced by a music piece presented as the "hymn of Tunisian street food," specially composed for the event by artist-musician Hamza Bouchnak.
A Unique Ceremony
According to Yamina Khalfet Bakir, CEO of Torchi Food Media, "The Torchi Awards ceremony is not a classical ceremony. We don't pretend to offer a subdued atmosphere like the Oscars, nor a red carpet and stairs like the Cannes Festival, or the glamorous and bling-bling style of the Venice Mostra. For us, it's our Tunisianity that is highlighted, with an 'Urban Tounsi' dress code to celebrate our delicious street food and its unsung heroes, all in a 100% Made in Tunisia atmosphere."
A Showcase of Tunisian Cuisine
The event also featured a showcase of Tunisian culinary heritage, with various iconic figures of street food presenting their dishes, such as "mraoueb" (Tunisian-style fried eggs), "casse-croûte ayari" (a traditional sandwich with harissa, eggs, and olive oil), chickpeas and garlic, merguez sandwiches, and more. The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the winners, presented by master of ceremonies Wael Toukabri, who called upon the 17 personalities, including sponsors and members of the expert jury, to take the stage and award the prestigious trophy to the best restaurant or food stall in each category.
The Competition
Out of 220 restaurants from 17 governorates, 51 finalists competed in 17 categories, including brik, burger, chapati, chawarma, crêpes, fricassée, kafteji, lablabi, makloub, millefeuille, mlewi, ojja, Italian pasta, Tunisian pasta, pizza, pizza slices, and traditional Tunisian dishes. The competition was judged by a panel of experts, including chefs Ahlem Nguili, Bessem Ben Abdallah, Aïmen Samhoud, Youssef Gastli, and Dhaker Béjaoui, who traveled across the country to taste and evaluate the dishes.
A Celebration of Tunisian Cuisine
According to Yamina Khalfet Bakir, "The Torchi Awards are more than a culinary competition; they are a moment of celebration. We celebrate the cooks and professionals of the food industry whose presence often goes unnoticed. This evening is theirs, and in our eyes, all participants in this competition are winners!" The ceremony was a testament to the richness and diversity of Tunisian street food, and a celebration of the people who make it possible.
