For the first time, the Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA) will be hosting the finals of the National Barista Championship, which forms part of the World Barista Championship, the world's pre-eminent international coffee competition to be held in Columbia later this year.
One of the highlights of the last day will be the Unilever Food Solutions By Invitation Only competition, which will see six of South Africa's top chefs, handpicked for their culinary talent, reputation and contribution to the industry, preparing a three-course meal from a mystery basket of ingredients.
The invited chefs this year are Stefano Strafella (consultant chef), Raymond Rundle (executive chef: Mambo's Pub & Restaurant), Markus Banziger (consultant chef), James Khoza (executive sous chef: Sandton Sun), Alfred Henry (executive chef: Capsicum Culinary Studio) and Petrus Madutlela (winner of the 2010 Unilever Food Solutions Senior Chef of the Year). With a cash prize of R40 000, this is one of South Africa's most prestigious competitions, and takes places on Wednesday 16 March from 11am on the Unilever Food Solutions stand.
For more information and a daily programme of the show's highlights, log on to www.hostex.co.za.
