South Africa Nestlé Professional Golden Chef’s Hat Winners in Dubai

The first day in Dubai - hot, humid but ready to go. Chef Kirsten and Willem from South Africa.

   Chef Ace from Madinat Jumeirah ready to give the young chefs a great week of learning and networking, thanks Chef Ace!!!

The Nestlé Professional Golden Chef’s Hat Award is dedicated to helping junior and apprentice chefs develop their cooking skills and broaden their culinary horizons. The competition was reintroduced in South Africa in 2011 and since then has shone a spotlight on young talent. Previous winners have already made great strides in furthering the country’s foodservice industry. 

Young chefs from across the country submitted their applications to the competition via Facebook earlier this year. To be considered, they had to submit a completed entry form, motivation letter and original recipes and images for a starter, main course and dessert. 

Lead by SACA’s competitions director, Jodi-Ann Pearton, a panel of SACA-accredited judges chose the five semi-finalists teams of two who battled it out in SACA’s Tsogo Sun Centre for Culinary Excellence kitchens in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

The winning team jets off to Dubai for the culinary experience of a lifetime, as they work in the kitchens with Chef Stephen Wright, Executive Chef Al Qasr & Dar Al Masyaf - Madinat Jumeirah. An all-expenses paid trip, the young chefs will be able to soak up the best of Arabian hospitality and enjoy accommodation at the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.