The Department of Consumer Sciences Food and Nutrition at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) witnessed a culinary showdown last Saturday, as 12 pairs of high school learners from DUT partner schools, competed in the final cook off at the DUT Super Chefs 2023 – Indigenous Healthy Cooking Competition. The exciting event was held on the Steve Biko campus in Durban on Saturday, 23 September 2023.
The talented super chefs finalists were all ‘spiced up’ in the aromatic competition. DUT Super Chefs 2023 was hosted by the Department of Consumer Sciences Food and Nutrition in collaboration with the DUT School Engagement Project, which is headed by Project Manager, Ms Berenice de La Croix. The project is managed by the DUT Advancement and Alumni Relations unit and includes a number of internal and external stakeholders.
The School Engagement Project is one of DUT’s biggest community engagement projects and has seven project pillars: the objective of this project is to develop learners into visionary, ethical leaders, which will benefit the higher education sector and the broader South African society.
The DUT Super Chefs 2023 competition was open to 15 selected schools from Grade 8 to 11, with two entries per school and 12 finalist teams. The DUT Super Chefs 2023 competitors had three hours to cook a three-course meal, consisting of a starter, a main course and a dessert. A panel of food judges comprising of Chef Jerricho Coetzee, Ms Lisebo Mothepu and Mrs Snenhlanhla Maphumulo, judged the competitors on the plating, meal balance, flavour, taste and kitchen skills. Chef Coetzee emphasized that the competitors needed to taste their food, which plays a huge part in the judging process, in terms of taste.
After an exciting battle in the kitchen, the DUT Super Chefs 2023 winners were announced. In first place was Simangele Luthuli and Londeka Mjoli from Durban Girls Secondary School. The second place winners were Desanne Maistry and Shaid Vally from Centenary Secondary School. Third place winners were Skyla Randal and Tiana Slaughter from Bechet High School
“We were truly not expecting to win but we are very happy that we have won, especially knowing that we have made our parents, teachers and class mates proud for winning this title of DUT Super Chefs 2023. Thank you to DUT for hosting this amazing competition,” said the jubilant pair, Simangele Luthuli and Londeka Mjoli from Durban Girls Secondary School.
Each of the pair of finalists ‘whisked off’ with a special certificate, an apron and suitable head gear, as well as chef’s knives, measuring cups and spoons, all courtesy of DUT.
Head of Department at Consumer Sciences Food and Nutrition, Dr Heleen Grobbelaar, conveyed her vote of thanks and extended her sincere gratitude to the distinguished panel of judges. “Your expertise and discerning palates have guided us through this culinary adventure. Your commitment to fair judgement and insightful feedback has elevated this competition to the highest standards. None of this would have been possible without the generous support of DUT Corporate Affairs and the Project Manager, Ms Berenice de La Croix from LIPSA,” she expressed.
Dr Grobbelaar further indicated that what was important to remember was the spirit of competition, which is not just about winning but it was also about the journey, the camaraderie and the shared passion for the culinary arts.
Director of the Advancement and Alumni Relations and Project Chair of the DUT School Engagement Project at DUT, Mr Zwakele Ngubane, expressed how proud DUT was to be a part of this particular initiative. “We are very encouraged to see the talent that comes from the schools, the learners and what they brought to the table was really amazing. We are immensely proud of each and every one who had participated. We must also thank our donors who ensure that this fully donor-funded project continues to enrich the lives of our students and learners in our partner schools: The Iqraa Trust, The Victor Daitz Foundation and The Albert Wessels Trust,” said Ngubane.
Project Manager, Ms Berenice de La Croix also shared her congratulatory message to all of the DUT Super Chefs 2023 and their teachers, parents and guardians who helped them prepare and find the ‘super chef’ in themselves. “We are very proud of our DUT Super Chefs 2023 finalists. They were focused, skilled and brought the spirit of Heritage day to the event,” she said proudly.
Pictured: The DUT Super Chefs 2023 winners, Simangele Luthuli and Londeka Mjoli from Durban Girls Secondary School.
Waheeda Peters
