The cook out will be held at the Bahama Bar in KwaThema, Springs, Gauteng, where the chosen 12 will compete for a R25,000 cash prize and an all-expenses-paid opportunity to host the 2014 Shisa Nyama Championship. The challenge is to create a special dish incorporating one or more of the Nando's peri peri sauces. A panel of judges will conduct a blind tasting and mark the dishes on skill and imagination.
Each participant will have a stand where they demonstrate their skills and offer their wares to the public, while a line-up of DJs - headlined by DJ Ganyani and Fistaz Mixwell - spin the decks.
Tickets are available at the door for R85 per person, which includes a plate of food from one of the participating shisa nyama stands.
Started in December 2011 with R350,000 funding from development financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Chilleks, a typical restaurant, shisa nyama, sports bar and car wash, offers high-end township entertainment.
A sales and marketing manager at a chemical company, owner, Siyabulela Dandala says the concept was to create a semi-up market restaurant with bar and braai facilities whilst patrons have the choice of having their cars washed/cleaned.
"The R350 000 from ECDC allowed me to buy stock and equipment to start the business. I had to renovate a dilapidated building and turn it into an entertainment spot.
"It is humbling that barely two years later we have been chosen to represent the province in a national competition. We were notified via a phone call that we had been chosen to participate in the competition. Nando's has also recently paid a visit to Chilleks for a promotional shoot," says Dandala.
ECDC senior account manager, Wayne Mahoney says the owner recognised the fact that due to the competitive nature of this business, innovative ideas need to be implemented to establish a loyal client base.
Mahoney says, "One should also note that Dandala invested approximately R50 000 of his own funds in the business, which we believe is key to the success of the business."
"So far the journey has been an exciting experience. The response to the establishment has been good. For example, without marketing, the opening day the turnout was unbelievable. There was nothing like this in Port Elizabeth before. The city was crying for this type of establishment," says Dandala.
"I must express my gratitude to funders such as ECDC who helped us get off the ground. I have also learned the importance of having proper business systems in place so that the venture can run smoothly even if you are not there all the time. It is also important to invest in the right people who will mirror your strong work ethic," he concludes.
In addition to its other business operations, Chilleks Place, which employs 14 people, also provides live music from various South African musicians and assists companies to launch their products.
A credible panel of judges will determine the winner based on taste and presentation. This will follow a blind judging process, which means that the judges won't know who prepared the dish before them.
