Pillsbury Bakeries and Foodservice division launches Bake-Off Competition for foodservice industry

The first of its kind in South Africa, this national competition will be open to anyone working in the trade. Following the same model as the world famous Pillsbury Bake-Off Competition for its retail consumers that began in the United States in 1949, this competition will encourage industry cooks and chefs to create innovative and delicious recipe applications using Pillsbury products.

Says Leigh Mervitz brand manager for Pillsbury, "We are thrilled that new and existing customers will have the opportunity to get to know our product range on a more intimate level. Experimentation will be key when coming up with exciting recipe ideas for the competition. We know that the end user will be delighted with the quality solutions that Pillsbury has to offer."

The entries will be placed in one of three different categories; hotel and restaurant chefs, canteen or contract catering unit chefs and B&B chefs, as well as trainee chefs. One winner from each category will share a total cash prize of R30 000. The first and second runner up in each category will win a five day training course at the South African Chefs Association's culinary school, and the top ten finalists will receive a Pillsbury product hamper.

The Bake-Off Competition will run through to February 28, 2010. To enter, view recipe submissions or vote, visit www.hospitalitymarketplace.co.za. Recipes will be judged according to taste, appearance, creativity, and consumer appeal.

"Public vote is encouraged to assist with the process of narrowing down to the final ten. These ten will then Bake-Off at a final gala event. To track progress and comment on the competition, customers should also visit the South African Chefs Association's Facebook page and click on the Bake-Off link," says Mervitz.

The top three winning recipes will be highlighted on the Pillsbury™ and South African Chefs Association websites, as well as various media channels.