Learners shine at Aspiring Chef of the Year challenge 2023

We are very proud of our eldest daughter, Amanda Gouws, who participated in this competition. 12 aspiring young chefs from schools in the Overberg were praised for their cookery techniques and flavour packed dishes on Thursday, 27 April 2023 at the prize giving ceremony of the Overberg Aspiring Chef of the Year competition in Hermanus. Danielle Lindes, a grade 11 hospitality study learner from Curro Hermanus, triumphed in the finals. Benita Fourie from Overberg High School was in second place, with Abbi Romburgh from Curro Hermanus claiming third spot. Learners had to re-invent a family favourite chicken dish – giving it a twist and 2023 flair. Warwick’s Chef School’s owners, Kevin and Sumien, organised the competition to put focus on the exciting opportunities that the culinary and hospitality industry has to offer in our region for the younger people – especially after the raw deal learners had to endure during Covid-19. Chef Kevin Warwick said all the finalists prepared top class dishes that were of a very high standard and made it very difficult for the judging panel to decide on a winner. The judging panel consisted of Kevin Warwick (Warwick’s Chef School), Christine Capendale (Cookbook Author and Culinary Assessor), Hedda Mitner (Hermanus Fynarts) and Carina van der Merwe (Core Catering Supplies Hermanus). Overstrand Executive Mayor, Dr Annelie Rabie, was there to congratulate the finalists and said that the youth in the economy is the future. She added that youngsters will keep the industry alive, thanks to business people who are willing to sponsor prizes, parents and teachers who nurture passion and encourage children to ‘mess around in the kitchen’. “It is not everyone who can change ‘ordinary’ into something special on the plate – and that is why people will keep coming back to your restaurant one day.” Mayor Rabie also thanked Chef Kevin for investing in young chefs and bakers in our region, upskilling them in their chosen culinary disciplines. The 12 finalists (out of 53 entries from Grade 11 and 12 learners) who were selected to participate in the cook-off on Thursday were: Abbi Romburg (Curro Hermanus), Aleca May (Hoërskool Overberg), Amanda Gouws (Hoërskool Bredasdorp), Ayana-Leigh Clarke (Hoërskool Overberg), Benita Fourie (Hoërskool Overberg), Danielle Lindes (Curro Hermanus), Jade Beukes (Hoërskool Overberg), Rourke Neethling (Curro Hermanus), Siseko Mhlana (Qhayiya secondary school hermanus), Sunah Huyser (Hoërskool Swellendam), Zané Louw (Home schooled) and Zoey-Leigh Hoffman (Hoërskool Overberg). Issued by Dr Annelie Rabie Office of the Overstrand Executive Mayor #overstrand4all #c4ourself PRIZES: The 3 winners of the competition were: 3rd Prize: Abbi Romburg from Curro Hermanus – she prepared a Pesto Chicken Roulade; winning a Moulinex Stick Blender and sponsored by Core Catering Hermanus 2nd Prize: Benita Fourie from Overberg High School – she prepared a Spinach Puree Chicken Risottto; winning a Moulinex Stick Blender and a Tramontia Frying Pan that were sponsored by Core Catering Hermanus and Tramontina 1st Prize: Danielle Lindes from Curro Hermanus – she prepared a Chicken Soup with home-made Potato Noodles; winning the following prizes: a) Cookery Book from Christine Capendale b) A food & wine experience for 6 guests from Creation Wines worth R5 700 c) A Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer worth R20 000, sponsored by Core Catering Hermanus, Core Franchise, and BCE d) The opportunity to cook her dish at the Hermanus FynArts festival as part of the FynArts Demonstration Series