Culinary TEAM SA announces training squad

The chefs making up the team have embarked on a tough training regime which began at the end of August with their first of many monthly practises.  The training will draw on all individual strengths and talents, moulding these into a strong, dynamic team that will be able to compete on all culinary levels around the world.  Says Chef Trevor Boyd, Manager of Culinary Team SA, “South Africa currently has a wealth of home-grown chef talent. It was extremely rewarding to witness this first hand through our Nation-wide trials, and it definitely made our selection decision very difficult. We have formed our Culinary Team South African Training Squad and now the TLC starts: Tough, Laboured Commitment! Our goals are tough but so will our training schedule be. We aim to make South Africa proud of us and will do all possible to achieve the rewards our proud nation will expect from us.”

Making up the management of the team are Chef Trevor Boyd, from the HTA School of Culinary Art who has taken up the role of Team Manager, and Chef Dilene Cranna, acting as Logistics Manager.  Both chefs were part of the Team that travelled to the Culinary Olympics and brought home the first gold medal that the Team had received in 16 years. Making up the rest of the Training Squad are Edward Clegg from the Michelangelo Hotel, Henrico Grobbelaar from the Vergelegen Wine Estate, Keiron Reynolds the Michelangelo Hotel, HD Fraser from the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Peter Gyorgyicsek from Sugar Decor, Allistaire Lawrence from Roots@ Forum Homini, Jacobus Kolver from the Mount Nelson Hotel, Jerome Norton from the HTA School of Culinary Art, Abubaker Bagaria from the Sandton Sun, Nadin Pospech-Demmler from Top Nosh Caterers, Tanja Kruger from Hunters Country House, Vicky-Lynn Gurovich from the Mount Nelson Hotel, Candice Philip from the Saxon Boutique Hote), Sam Ramokoka from Le Franschhoek Hotel, Roberto de Carvalho from the Apostles Hotel and Spa, Siyabulela Kobo from the Londolozi Game Lodge and Charl Gyzen from The Chocolate Fountain.

Joining the Culinary Team SA on their journey to the Culinary Olympics over the next four years is primary sponsor, Unilever Food Solutions, who have been a committed partner to the Team since 2005.  Craig Elliott, National Executive Head Chef of Unilever Food Solutions, says, “Our congratulations to the new members of this young and dynamic squad.  We’re delighted to be accompanying these chefs on their journey to the Olympics, and we have every faith that this Team will do South Africa proud.  We look forward to seeing the talents and skills of this young team develop to their full potential over the coming four years.”