Laura Morton (Area Manager), Nikki Doman (Catering Manager – Cordwalles School), Paula Heuff (Project Manager – Wykeham Collegiate School) and Jo Harper (Catering Manager – Marian Villa).
Pietermaritzburg-based Capitol Caterers has once again steamed through to the prestigious Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year Competition finals, in the team of four category, with teams including one executive chef, two chefs and a waiter, highlighting the teamwork that is crucial in a successful culinary establishment.
According to Eelco Camminga, group CEO of Capitol Caterers, this is the third time the company has made it through to the finals and in 2012 they were crowned the winners in this challenging category.
“We’re extremely proud of the team that has made it this far, having been initially judged on the number of Unilever Food Solutions professional ingredients used, the novel use of products, the originality of the recipe, the degree of difficulty and the skill required and the fusion of flavours. In the finals on 10 September at Unilever Food Solution’s kitchens in Durban, our extremely creative team will take part in the Mystery Basket National Finals, creating a three-course menu for six people, with wine and table presentation. They have it in them to win, but whether they do or not, they are absolute winners to us,” he adds.
The Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year competition carries a total of R120 000 in prize money, of which R20 000 goes to the winners in the Team of Four category. Second prize is R12 000 and third is R8 000.
Capitol Caterers has been building a successful and well-established industrial and institutional catering company in KwaZulu-Natal and further afield in South Africa and neighbouring countries for about 23 years.
“Our staff are our focus and our pride,” says Camminga. “So much so that we have invested in the best training, support and business structures to ensure that they are committed to exceed client expectations. With this noteworthy achievement at the Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year competition, they’re taking their commitment further than ever.”
