One&Only Young Stars
Wednesday, 11 November, 2015
One&Only
This year the One&Only Reaching for Young Stars culinary competition has reached a five-year milestone.
Now in its fifth consecutive year, the One&Only Reaching for Young Stars competition has solidified its reputation as the top culinary event for student chefs and wine stewards in South Africa. One&Only Cape Town not only hosts the competition, with the resort’s kitchens hotting up with creative dishes being prepared by rising stars, but also hosts the much-awaited prize-giving ceremony. One&Only Cape Town General Manager Richard Lyon is duly proud of the resort’s involvement in this competition: "One&Only Cape Town is committed to service excellence and training. This competition only means good things for the hospitality industry, and we are delighted to support these young aspirant chefs and wine stewards in their endeavours."
Organised by Showcook.com’s Annette Kesler and Chania Morritt-Smith, true champions of furthering the talent of the local hospitality industry, the competition saw talented student chefs vying for the coveted trophy. Kesler elaborates: “The One&Only Reaching for Young Stars is a competition that is designed for young hospitality trainees that is both empowering and inspirational: it boasts top judges; it provides a platform to showcase terrific talent, highlighting the foundation the students receive at these excellent innovative culinary academies. It really is a showcase for what creativity and sheer hard work will achieve, and is a meaningful way to promote our homegrown hospitality industry.” Richard Lyon remarks that Annette Kesler’s hard work and passion for this competition makes it a true success.
MEET THE CONTESTANTS
Twelve chef students entered in duo teams from six hospitality schools. These duos were partnered with six wine steward entrantsand then paired with individual wine estates. The aspirant chefs and wine stewards were invited to visit their estates to do wine tastings, learn from winemakers and gain valuable experience of hospitality on a working wine farm. Introducing this year’s entrants:
Cape Town Hotel School & Villiera
Duo of Chefs: Modeli Kruger & Mathabo Raselo
Wine Steward: Chané Van Zyl
The Hurst Campus & Oldenburg Vineyards
Duo of Chefs: Jandré Swart & Frikkie Janse van Rensburg,
Wine Steward: Nicole Van Zyl
International Hotel School & Stellar Organics
Duo of Chefs: Nicholas Oliphant & Rossouw Koen
Wine Steward: Micaela Newton
The Private Hotel School & Anthonij Rupert Wyne
Duo of Chefs: Carmen Eksteen & Peter Duncan
Wine Steward: Kudzie Mushure
Silwood School Of Cookery & Fleur Du Cap
Duo of Chefs: Hayley New & Charné Sampson
Wine Steward: Jason Geduld (Cape Town Hotel School)
South African Chefs Academy & Durbanville Hills
Duo of Chefs: Hannah Staddon & James Wright
Wine Steward: Paballo Lilly Lebeli (Cape Town Hotel School)
After rigorous days of workshops, tastings and expert lectures from partners SAPPO (South African Pork Producers’ Organisation), Lancewood, Rio Largo Olive oil, Khoisan Sea Saltand an orientation session at the One&Only kitchens,the contestants had to devise their menus and refine them in time for the judging day that took place at One&Only Cape Town on 15 September.
Nine top culinary judges conducted a blind tasting on the day. Reuben Riffel (chief judge), David van Staden, Floris Smith, Aubrey Ngcungama, Alan Romburgh, Jerome Peters, Luvo Ntezo, John Jackson, Marieta Human and Penelope Horwood tasted their way through six three-course menus that showcased South African pork in the main dish as well as Lancewood cheeses in innovative and delicious ways. All dishes were expertly paired with wine from partnered estates. Chief judge Reuben Riffel notes: "I've seen a distinct improvement over the past five years of this competition in both the quality and presentation of the dishes that students are delivering.” It is clear that One&Only Reaching for Young Stars competition is the premier platform for creating South African hospitality ambassadors.
THE TASTEMAKERS
The celebratory lunch at One&Only Cape Town’s glamorous Ballroomand prize-giving on 5 November saw food media and food industry heavyweights in attendance,together with our Deputy Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa who has supported this initiative, underpinning the value to the overall success of South Africa’s hospitality industry. Guest of honour, was Irish food ambassador Darina Allen of Ballymaloe Cookery School fame, flown to our shores by Tourism Ireland. Ballymaloe recently celebrated 30 years of success during which time it has become one of the sought after schools worldwide.
Educators were decidedly proud of their winning students, and there was a wonderful sense of camaraderie and support in the room. Here are the winners and their award-winning menus.
Duo of Chefs
1st Prize
Silwood School Of Cookery
Hayley New & Charné Sampson
Charné decided to make cooking her career when she started baking at school to earn extra pocket money. Hayley hopes her technical mastery of cooking will enable her to travel the world.
The Menu
Sesame Seared Tuna and Deep Fried Squid with Avocado, Yuzu Mayonnaise and Crispy Rice paired with Fleur du Cap Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Braised Pork Belly with Plum Chutney, Smokey Pork Neck Croquettes,Celeriac, Potato Purée and Spring Vegetables paired with Fleur du Cap Semillon 2014
Vanilla Cream, Berries, Lancewood Cheese Cake Ice Cream and Rio Largo White Chocolate Pebbles paired with Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2011
AND winning the LANCEWOOD Best Dessert Award!
2nd Prize
The Private Hotel School
Carmen Eksteen & Peter Duncan
Carmen’s attention to details is what sets her apart; while Peter loves the creativity and experimentation involved in the culinary arts.
The Menu
Pan Seared Jonkershoek Trout, Cardamom Cured Trout, Mushroom Flan, Peanut Crumble and Trout Roe Vinaigrette paired with Anthonij Rupert Semillon
Braised Pork Neck, Spiced Pulled Pork, Cider Parsnip Purée, Lentil Salad, Fennel, Brussels Sprouts Cups with Roasted Pork Bone Reduction paired with Anthonij Rupert Chardonnay
Beetroot Composition, Dark Chocolate Namelaka, Meringue, Nuts and Orange paired with L’Ormarins Brut Rosé
3rd Prize
The Hurst Campus
Jandré Swart & Frikkie Janse Van Rensburg
Jandré’s goal is to work at a Michelin-starred restaurant one day, through hard work, excellent technical knowledge and refining his skills.After spending time at the Institute Paul Bocuse in France, Frikkie is continuing his pursuit of academic excellence with a special interestin food writing.
The Menu
Savoury Mushroom Cheesecake with Glazed Baby Beetroot, Fennel Salsa, Marinated Shimiji and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds paired with Oldenburg Rhodium 2012
Roasted Pork Belly with Poached and Olive Filled Pork Fillet, Parsnip Purée, Fondant Potato, Sautéed Baby Carrots and Creamed Ginger Jus paired withOldenburg Syrah 2012
Flourless Dark Chocolate Torte with Lancewood Crème Fraîche Ice Cream, Khoisan Salted Caramel Sauce, Honey Nougat Meringue and Brandy Snap
paired with Oldenburg Syrah 2012 and Oldenburg Rhodium 2012
Wine Stewards
1st Prize
The Hurst Campus & Oldenburg Vineyards
Nicole van Zyl
Hospitality is in Nicole’s blood, as she grew up in a lodge run by her parents. Guest relations are of optimal importance for her and she dreams to travel to France and England to gain experience in the industry.
2nd Prize
Cape Town Hotel School & Villiera
Chané van Zyl
Chané’s love of food and wine pairing is backed by top academics and an excellent general wine knowledge and she hopes to one day explore New World wine in California.
3rd Prize
The Private Hotel School & Anthonij Rupert Wyne
Kudzie Mushure
Service excellence is Kudzie’s watchword, and he is studying to become an hotelier.
In addition to the prestige of these awards, winners have walked away with a host of additional prizes from One&Only Cape Town, KitchenAid South Africa,SAPPO, AL&CD Ashley, Lancewood, Struik Lifestyle Books and Von Geusau Chocolates
For further information about One&Only Cape Town visit www.oneandonlycapetown.com
For press assistance contact Ian or Lise Manley of Manley Communications on 0861 MANLEY (626 539), email to premierbrands@publicity.co.za, or visit the Press Room of Manley Communications at www.manleycommunications.co.za
PHOTO CAPTION:
From left to right:
Chania Moritt-Smith (showcook.com), Annette Kesler (showcook.com), Carianne Wilson (Silwood Cookery School), Hayley New (Silwood Cookery School), Darina Allen (Ballylamoe Cookery School), Charné Sampson (Silwood Cookery School), Richard Lyon (One&Only Cape Town), Alicia Wilkinson (Silwood Cookery School) and Dr Susanne Reuther (KitchenAid South Africa)
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