Durban - Masterchef Australia judge George Calombaris was full of praise for South African chefs.
Calombaris is in Durban for the Good Food and Wine show.Speaking to the Sunday Tribune on the sidelines of the annual event, Calombaris said he would be going in search of the best bunny chow in-between his sessions at the show.
He could not get over the “braai brekkie” he had during one of his earlier trips to South Africa, and loved how local chefs embraced their heritage. He was also looking forward to drinking local coffee at the barista championships.
“The warmth and generosity of people here is amazing. We have created a whole new menu for Durban, adding some spice and my modern Greek-Australian flair.” Colombaris has a chef’s table at the show where he will prepare for 40 guests.
He is the only international chef at the show, which allowed home-grown talent to take centre stage.
Among them are Masterchef alumnis Kamini Pather, Claire Allen, Siphokazi Mdlankomo and Sherwyn Weaich who have made it on the international food circuit as they celebrate South African food.
With new shows, book deals and travelling across the world, it’s hard to keep up with their exploits, but this weekend they will share their talent with Durbanites.
Mdlankomo currently has her own show called Let’s Eat with Siphokazi on Mzanzi Magic. She describes the show as a learning experience where she uses her guests’ recipes to prepare a meal.
“It is shows like Good Food and Wine that give us a platform to showcase what we are made of,” she said.
Allen told the Sunday Tribune that a new show, That One Killer Dish, was in production, and would be on screen next year. She said the show mixed two of her favourite things - people and creating dishes.
“This is the time for aspiring chefs to capitalise on the food industry as there is a massive demand worldwide for chefs and the industry needs more skilled people,” she said.
Weaich will launch his restaurant, DL Cafe, at the Pearls in uMhlanga in December and once opened will film his TV show, Cultured, there.
Weaich will be at the baking theatre at 1:30pm and 3pm on Sunday.
Durban girl and chef extraordinaire Jenny Morris, who has featured in the show for the past 17 years, believed the reason why many young chefs have emerged and are being noticed was owing to them travelling a lot and experimenting with food.
“South African chefs are making international news wherever they go, and are getting noticed for their South African inspired meals. It feels so good to see the number of upcoming chefs developing and showing skill and professionalism,” she said.
Morris, also known as the Giggling Gourmet, will cook a special Antarctica New York dinner for 70 people - a first for a South African chef.
There’s lots to do and see at the show, including new additions like the wine theatre, chefs open theatre and cake decor labs.
Visitors will have the chance to be more interactive with chefs and many stalls feature do-it-yourself stations where people can get their hands dirty in all things cooking and baking.
The show at the Durban Exhibition Centre ends on Sunday at 8pm.
Sunday Tribune