Unilever Chef Of The Year 2011

It’s almost time for the best culinary talent in the country to plate up in the Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year 2011.

A total of 38 chefs from all over South Africa have been selected, through process of regional finals, to represent their regions in the Senior, Junior and Team categories of the competition on Friday, 16 September 2011. They will be pitting their skills against each other as they battle it out for their share of R90 000 in prize money – and the ultimate title of Unilever Chef of the Year 2011.

The standards of this prestigious annual competition reach higher levels each year, making it the richest and most respected culinary competition in South Africa; and one in which any chef is proud to be selected to participate.

Finalists are required to showcase their talent, creativity and competitive spirit using some of the very same ingredients that are staples of professional kitchens in 74 countries around the world, all while impress the judges with their inspiring menus by creating dishes that will set them apart from the rest.

Both the Senior and Junior categories will have an international component this year, with three international competitors in the Senior category and one in the Junior, challenging South African chefs to prove that they too can hold their own among the best culinary talent in the world.

In the Senior category, the five finalists will compete for first prize of R15 000, second prize of R10 000 and third prize of R5000 – and the prestigious title of Unilever Chef of the Year 2011.

This is the only category that will see the inclusion of three international heavyweights going head-to-head with some of South Africa’s best culinary talent, all competing for top honours.

Each category will take the form of a mystery basket competition, in which contestants will have just 30 minutes to design their menu, and then three hours to prepare a starter, main course and dessert, using ingredients given just a few hours before. The pressure will be on as the contestants will be under great pressure to come up with the most innovative, creative and flavourful dishes possible to wow the judges, whom include some of South Africa’s most recognised and respected chefs.

South Africa is waiting to see who will have what it takes to become the next Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year. It’s going to be big!

The cook-off takes place this Friday, 16 September at the Unilever Head Office in La Lucia, Durban. For further information log onto www.unileverfoodsolutions.co.za