Three young chefs from the Durban International Convention Centre, all of whom are part of the Durban ICC’s Graduate Programme, are the set to compete in the regional Jeunes Chef Rôtisseurs (Young Chefs) Competition on 9 April 2014. Sindi Ngiba, Sibekezelo Buthelezi and Jivashri Govender are highly talented and enthusiastic young chefs eager to show off their skills.
The young chefs competition is organised annually by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international gastronomic society which promotes the art of fine cuisine, and is committed to the development of young talent in the culinary industry as well as encouraging cultural diversity in food preparation.
Contestants compete in regional and national stages in Chaîne des Rôtisseurs chapters around the world. The winner of the KwaZulu-Natal Regional Competition will go on to compete in the National Competition in May. The ultimate winner of the National Competition will then represent South Africa in the 2014 edition of the Concours International des Jeunes Chefs Rôtisseurs which will take place in Durban, on the 5 September.
The competition involves contestants making the most of a basket of mystery ingredients, by designing and preparing a three-course menu for four people incorporating all the ingredients. The written menu must be completed within the first half-hour, with three and a half hours allowed for preparation, after which the finished dishes are presented for judging.
The competition is open to chefs up to 27 years of age with less than five years of professional experience in the industry. Competitors must also be employed in one of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs member establishments.
“As an international convention centre with a proud reputation for culinary excellence, we believe strongly in developing the next generation of great chefs. We are happy to support our young chefs and give them the opportunity to express their creativity and compete against their peers at an international level. We know they will do us proud and we wish them all the best”, said Julie-May Ellingson, Chief Executive Officer of the Durban ICC. Sibekezelo Buthelezi, one of the ICC’s contestants, commented, “As this is my first competition, I am a little nervous, but I am excited to show what I can do in the kitchen.”
