These chefs were handpicked by Unilever Foodsolutions for their contribution to the food industry and their outstanding culinary talent. They will stand the chance to win the ultimate prize cash of R30 000.
Hostex is Africa’s largest catering and hospitality exhibition with over 250 exhibitors from across the industry. In will be held in the Sandton Convention Centre from 18th to the 20th of March.
The six chefs who will be competing in a mystery basket cook-off are Chris van Wyk (Amaqueta Foods in George), Garth Shnier (Professional Culinary Projects in Johannesburg), Leonard Loxton (Microsoft in Johannesburg) and Reuben Riffel (Reuben’s in Franschhoek. The last two chefs have not yet confirmed their entry.
The job of choosing six top chefs was not an easy one, and the team at Unilever Foodsolutions had a wealth of culinary talent from which to make their choice.
“Never before in South African culinary history has there been so much creativity, progressiveness, global standards of excellence and endurance displayed, making this an impossibly difficult decision to make,” says Craig Elliot, executive head chef of Unilever Foodsolutions.
The main criteria for the selection process was the ability of each chef to shape the South African cuisine scene. The secondly they were accessed on their on their endurance and tenacity in a competitive, fast-changing environment. Unilever Foodsolutions looked for chef’s who have stood the test of time and been able to adapt as demands changed, setting trends and reinventing themselves and their craft.
The third criteria were on their contribution to the industry, by sharing their knowledge and skill through training and mentoring, or by representing South Africa in competitions internationally. And the fourth basic criteria, were the respect and recognition held by their peers.
Food24 will take a closer look at the six participating chef’s in the following weeks leading up to the competition.