Date: 18 September 2021
Time: 07h00 – 14:00 | Ceremony: 18h30 – 20h00
Venue: HTA School of Culinary Art, 128 Bram Fischer Drive, Ferndale, Randburg
Number of Finalists: 8 | Number of Judges: 6
Now in its sixth year, the HTA School of Culinary Art Legacy Young Chef Competition was first held in 2016. The competition was created to inspire the minds of young South African Chefs as HTA Students. It also allows the students to showcase their skills and impart the latest culinary trends and further test themselves against the challenges of their chosen career.
Eight Full-Time Second-Year Students were selected through trials to take part in this prestigious competition.
The finalists were:
- Claudine Naidoo
- Duduzile Khumalo
- Lameez Ballim
- Refiloe Borole
- Simphiwe Jujuju
- Tahier Davis
- Thapelo Mpofu
- Vuyelwa Mahlangu
The main objective of the competition, other than that of the educational and fun component offered through competitions, is to expose our students, the next generation of industry leaders, to a wide range of quality products and ingredients and to allow them to incorporate them into 5 Star Cuisine.
The competition was followed by a cocktail event and was attended by approximately 60 influential industry members, family members as well as the sponsors.
Selection of Finalists
The finalists are full-time based students who are about to complete their final year in the Two-Year Full-Time Culinary Arts Programme at HTA. They were chosen as semi-finalists for this competition based on their overall performance and marks practically and theoretically over a total of 2 years. Following a cook-off held in August at HTA, the eight finalists were selected.
Judging Panel
The panel comprised of Executive Chefs from leading Establishments and Hospitality Industry Experts.
HTA School of Culinary Art thanks them for their contribution to this prestigious event.
Guest Judges: Chef Levy Pelele, Chef Stuart Mc Clarty, Chef Kenneth Ngubane, Chef Trevor Chikaura; Chef Kirsten Jane Howell and Chef Marco Gaspar.
Cocktail Event and Winner Announcement
Each finalist was awarded with a Legacy Competition Hamper filled with various amazing prizes from the contributing sponsors. Each finalist was also given an HTA School of Culinary Art Legacy embroidered Si Chef uniform.
Winner: Duduzile Khumalo
2nd Place: Thapelo Mpofu
3rd Place: Claudine Naidoo
This year also saw the first Victorinox & Sharp Edge Knife Proficiency Award, this was awarded to Thapelo Mpofu for showing a high degree of skill with all forms of chef knives.
Outcome:
The event was a great success this year and much needed positivity after a stressful year. It was well supported and the media coverage will no doubt assist in achieving our goals, namely:
- Embrace and celebrate the talent of home grown young South African Chefs
- To allow young South African Chefs to put their skills to the test
- Assist young South African Chefs in profiling themselves and our industry
- To produce quality food under immense pressure
- Provide media coverage for HTA School of Culinary Art
Conclusion
In conclusion, the annual HTA School of Culinary Art Legacy Competition, has already established itself on South Africa’s Culinary Calendar and we look forward to hosting the competition for the 7th time next year.
Thank you to all the sponsors and industry guests for your help in making this year’s event a success.
HTA can be contacted on:
011 285 0937/16
www.htachefschool.co.za
