"Bondia --- I am Melqui Leki-Bere da Cunha. Currently, I am training to be a chef here in Timor-Leste at ETDA. We have a busy, happy, exciting, commercial kitchen, where we can learn new skills and practice our techniques.

It's great to be able to explore the cuisines of other countries, but my first love, of course, is to create traditional Timorese dishes like my mother and grandmother taught me --- but with a modern, innovative twist.

This is the food I want to share with the world. And hopefully I will be able to do that at the International Young Chef Olympiad next month.

The Olympiad has been running since 2015 and brings student chefs from all over the world together for a great culinary cook-off. I am so honored and thrilled to be able to represent Timor-Leste and showcase our culture on a global stage.

However ... while the Olympiad funds our food, accommodation, and internal travel, competitors must pay for their own passage to India. Here is where I hope you can help: to donate whatever you can to send myself, and my wonderful kitchen mentor, Marcel Freitas, to Goa and beyond, to give the world a taste of Timor."

The East Timor Development Agency (ETDA) has been in operation for 20 years, and has trained a new generation of Timorese culinary talent, where the focus is on sustainable cooking with local produce, good health and well-being, responsible food consumption and production. ETDA graduates have found meaningful employment in restaurants and hotels at home and overseas. Students are encouraged to be competitive and creative when it comes to food culture.

Competitions such as the Olympiad are extremely important for the development of tomorrow's young chefs and to raise the profile of Timorese Hospitality and Tourism.

But, as a non-profit NGO, ETDA Needs funding help to realize this exciting opportunity for Melqui and Marcel.

Please help to get these young people going to Goa! Your support is very much appreciated.

NOTE: Deadline: 26 January 2025.