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UNILEVER CHEF OF THE YEAR 2026 WINNERS

The heat was on in Durban as some of the country’s most exciting culinary talent gathered for the Future Menus 2026 finals: a high-energy showcase of creativity, skill, and innovation in the kitchen.

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Hosted by Unilever Food Solutions, the annual Chef of the Year finals brought together rising stars and experienced industry professionals for one of the most exciting events on the local foodservice calendar. As part of Unilever Future Menus 2026, the event celebrated the chefs shaping the future of food in South Africa.

This year’s finalists were challenged to create dishes that reflected evolving diner expectations, modern menu thinking, and the trends highlighted in Future Menus, all while demonstrating technical excellence under pressure.

The competition once again highlighted the incredible standard of South African chefs, with participants bringing distinctive flavours, smart ingredient use, and inspiring culinary storytelling to the table. From innovative plating to thoughtful menu concepts, the finals showcased exactly why the local industry continues to gain global recognition.

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TOP SOUTH AFRICAN CHEFS REVEALED

After an intense day of cooking, judging, and competition, the winners of Unilever Chef of the Year 2026 were officially announced.

JUNIOR CHEF OF THE YEAR 2026

Makgobokele Nchabeleng (CTIA)

WINNER
Makgobokele Nchabeleng (CTIA)

Junior Chef Of The Year 2026 - Winner dish
Arhan Ramchurran (1000 Hills Culinary School)

2ND PLACE
Arhan Ramchurran (1000 Hills Culinary School)

Junior Chef Of The Year 2026 - 2nd Place
Kayla-Lee Pienaar (CTIA)

3RD PLACE
Kayla-Lee Pienaar (CTIA)

Junior Chef Of The Year 2026 - 3rd Place
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SENIOR CHEF OF THE YEAR 2026

Germaine Esau (Groot Phesantekraal Wines and Restaurant)

WINNER
Germaine Esau (Groot Phesantekraal Wines and Restaurant)

Senior Chef Of The Year 2026 - Winner
Gonaseelan Chetty (TSAFRIKA La Lucia Ridge)

2ND PLACE
Gonaseelan Chetty (TSAFRIKA La Lucia Ridge)

Senior Chef Of The Year 2026 - 2nd Place
Kagiso Mokgale (Losmeikos)

3RD PLACE
Kagiso Mokgale (Losmeikos)

Senior Chef Of The Year 2026 - 3rd Place
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The finals formed part of one of the country’s leading platforms for culinary competition in South Africa and were designed to support, spotlight, and inspire chefs at every stage of their careers. More than just a chef competition, the event creates opportunities for mentorship, exposure, and professional growth within the foodservice industry.

As the latest edition of Future Menus continues to explore the trends shaping global dining, the competition proved that local talent is more than ready to meet the moment. These are the top South African chefs helping define what comes next for the industry one plate at a time.

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