Winning recipe for 2010 Sunday Times Food Awards

Chef School Challenge winners, Sara Lohmaier and Lauren Bolton.(Image: by John Liebenberg)

The Food Awards, in association with Foodcorp, comprise four competitions, all of which received a record number of entries this year. Jodi-Ann Pearton of the Food Design Agency now holds the coveted title of 2010 Sunday Times Chef of the Year, Julia Hattingh from The Restaurant at The Waterkloof triumphed as the Young Chef of the Year, Silwood School of Cookery won the Chef School Challenge and Lucas Ntsele from the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton was the first recipient of the Sunday Times Stalwart of the Kitchen Award.

"We are very happy with our record number of entries this year as well as the new and improved entry mechanics which levelled the playing field amongst all contestants. Unlike last year, all competing chefs cooked from a mystery basket that was confidential until the morning of each cook-off and all food was presented to the judges anonymously," explains Jacqui Gunn Sunday Times Food Awards project manager.

Real stalwarts

CEO Foodcorp Justin Williamson, Stalwart of the Kitchen winner Lucas Ntsele from the Michelangelo Hotel and Ray Hartley, Editor, Sunday Times. (Image: by John Liebenberg)

Sunday Times and Foodcorp introduced the new Stalwart of the Kitchen category this year. The competition was introduced to recognise the large group of chefs in South Africa over the age of 35 who may have no formal qualifications, yet are found working very hard in kitchens all over the country.

"The new Stalwart of the Kitchen category is particularly exciting as it recognises the individuals who make up the backbone of this industry and often go unnoticed," says Julliette Morrison, Foodcorp's Group marketing director.

On Tuesday, October 5, six finalist school teams competed in the Chef School Challenge cook offs.

CEO Foodcorp - Justin Williamson, Young Chef of the Year winner Julia Hattingh from The Restaurant at the Waterkloof and Ray Hartley , Editor, Sunday Times. (Image: by John Liebenberg)

Silwood School of Cookery in Cape Town took the title for the third year in a row. Sara Lohmaier and Lauren Bolton received R5000 each plus a Weber Smokey Joe valued at R749 and R5000 was also awarded to the school.

This year's Young Chef finalists were all from Cape Town - winner Julia Hattingh was up against 2009 Young Chef of the Year - Leon Osch Jones of The Table Bay Hotel, Melyssa La Vita - also from The Table Bay, Robyn Capendale from the Camps Bay Retreat, Jazper Saunders of Silwood Kitchens and Andre Steyn of The Vineyard in Cape Town.

CEO Foodcorp Justin Williamson, Chef of the Year winner Jodi-Ann Pearton of the Food Design Agency and Ray Hartley, Editor, Sunday Times. (Image: by John Liebenberg)

The winner of the Sunday Times Young Chef of the Year 2010 received R20 000 and a Weber Q220 valued at R4999. Second place received R5000 and third place received R2000.

The finalists who competed against Lucas Ntsele were Susan Maxwell of Maxwell's Restaurant in Grahamstown and Emily Mazwi, Fredrick Tshikuvhe, Jackson Xulu and Victoria Mgaga, all from the Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton.

The Stalwart contestants were tasked to do only a starter and a main as they have not been typically trained as pastry chefs. The winner of the Sunday Times Stalwart of the Kitchen 2010 competition received R10 000 plus a Weber Q220 valued at R4999 and each finalist received R1000.

In the Chef of the Year cook-offs, finalist from last year and this year's winner, Jodi-Ann Pearton, was up against Coenraad Spaumer of Boston Kitchen and Deli in Pretoria, Michael Cooke from The Cellars-Hohenort in Cape Town, Roberto de Carvalho from the Twelve Apostles in Cape Town and Scott Rattray from Scotty's Restaurant and Bar in Plett. Sixth finalist, Roberto Pucciatti from Punto Deli Bakers had to pull-out of the competition as his wife went into labour on the day of the cook-off.

Second place was awarded to Scott Rattray and third place to Michael Cooke.

The winner of the Sunday Times Chef of the Year 2010 received R50 000 and a Weber Q300 valued at R5999. Second prize received R15 000 and third prize was R5000.

For more information go to www.sundaytimesfoodawards.co.za.