R40 000 CASH UP FOR GRABS IN SA’S BIGGEST CULINARY COMPETITION

Each year for the past five years Unilever Food Solutions have invited six of South Africa’s leading chefs to compete in their exclusive By Invitation Only Competition. 2010 marks the sixth anniversary of what has grown to be South African’s most prestigious annual cookery competition, and will again see six of the country’s best chefs vie for top position. And the winner-takes-all prize of R40 000 in cash? It’s anyone’s guess as to who will walk away with it this year!

It’s a competition which chefs across the country aspire to be invited to enter, and the elite chefs who’ll be competing in the mystery basket cook-off at Hostex Cape in March this year, are Michelle Barry (Principal: Christina Martin School of Food and Wine, Durban), Dilene Boyd (nee Cranna. Independent Pastry Chef, Johannesburg), Rudi Liebenberg (Executive Chef: Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town), Mike Bassett (Chef Patron: Ginja Restaurant/Myoga Restaurant, Cape Town), Paul Gindra (Executive Chef: Radisson Blu Hotel, Sandton), Nicholas Froneman (Executive Chef: Southern Sun Elangeni Hotel, Durban)..

All handpicked for their contribution to the food industry, enduring reputations, unwavering commitment to quality and standards of excellence, and their outstanding culinary talent and skill, each chef will bring their own edge to the competition, leaving no doubt that the challenge will be heated. It’s an all-or-nothing winner-takes-all, mystery basket contest of the highest stakes – the ultimate in culinary competitiveness!

MORE ABOUT THE CHALLENGE

The invitation to take up the challenge in the ultimate competition of their careers comes from South Africa’s leading foodservice manufacturer and supplier, Unilever Food Solutions, as part of their annual Chef of the Year competition.  A highlight on South Africa’s culinary calendar, the Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year has grown over the years to become the foremost competition in South Africa, with prize money exceeding R15 000 in the Junior category and R20 000 in the Senior category.  Originally known as the Marvello Chef of the Year, the Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year has grown over the years to represent the finest culinary talent in our country and has seen its competitors take up the challenge, win, and use the opportunity to boost their careers.

This prestigious competition was won last year by Jodi-Ann Pearton of The Food Design Agency in Johannesburg and has, since its inception in 2005, seen some of the country’s most celebrated chefs compete for and win the top prize, including Arnold Tanzer (Food on the Move, Johannesburg), David Grier (De Oude Welgemoed Restaurant, Cape Town), Margot Janse (Le Quartier Francais), Graeme Shapiro (formerly of The Restaurant), Reuben Riffel (Reuben’s, Franschhoek) and George Jardine (Jardine Restaurant).

…ENDS

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF UNILEVER FOOD SOLUTIONS BY STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT JENÉ GODFREY ON 082 459 8553 / 011 672 2037 OR jene@stratpr.co.za