October 2024 — Cape Town and Pretoria, South Africa
The Chaine des Rôtisseurs Young Chefs Regional Competition, held on 17 and 18 October, was an outstanding success. The event, part of a global tradition spanning over 560 years, brought together the finest young culinary talent to compete at the highest level.
According to Craig Cormack, the main organiser and Conseiller Culinaire Bailliage d’Afrique du Sud, the Chaine des Rôtisseurs represents the “absolute quintessence of cheffing and cooking” worldwide, and this year’s competition was no exception.
SAMAC, one of the event’s main sponsors, played a significant role in making this competition a resounding triumph. Each participating chef was tasked with developing an innovative meal incorporating macadamias – a true showcase of the nut’s versatility. The results were nothing short of amazing, with each dish highlighting the diverse applications of macadamia nuts in gourmet cuisine.
We are proud to announce the winners of the competition:
- Sheldon Wolfe from Birkenhead House, Cape Town
- Caeleb Naidoo from The Cullinan, Cape Town
- Amahle Sosiba and Elizabeth Ncube from The Saxon, Johannesburg
Llewellyn Buckley-Marais, the co-organiser of this prestigious event, commended these talented chefs, stating, “You have truly made your mark in the industry.” These four outstanding chefs will now advance to the finals, set to take place in April 2025, where they will compete for the ultimate prize: an opportunity to work with some of the best chefs in the world and participate in the International Young Chefs Competition.
Craig praised SAMAC’s contributions, noting their expertise in the macadamia industry and the nut’s remarkable culinary potential. “Macadamias are an amazing product, especially when you consider the flavor and quality. From raw nuts to butters, oils, and milk, they are versatile, nutritional, and a healthy choice for any recipe,” he said.
The chefs not only gained invaluable skills but also shared new ideas and trends with their peers, furthering the collaborative spirit of the event.
As we look forward to next year’s finals, we are excited to see who will emerge victorious and represent South Africa in the international competition. The future of culinary excellence is bright, and SAMAC, together with the Chaine des Rôtisseurs, will continue to celebrate and support the rising stars of the culinary world.
Top left: Cheyne Gagiano, Elizabeth Ncube, Llewellyn Buckley-Marais, Michael Behmer, Melanie Cunningham. Bottom row: Mathew Foxon (Gauteng Charge des Mission), Amahle Sosiba (winner), Mahlomola Thamae (Gauteng Vice Consiel Culinaire)
Elizabeth Ncube, Llewellyn Buckley-Marais, Amahle Sosiba
About Macadamias South Africa (SAMAC) NPC (non-profit company)
SAMAC is a leading organisation, dedicated to providing inspirational and innovative leadership to an all-inclusive and aligned South African Macadamia Industry, which through the power of the collective, is built on broad-based research, market development and stakeholder engagements.
