Team Masakhane Heads to Luxembourg

Nine chefs, all under 25, have earned the right to represent South Africa at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg this November.

Feature · Team Masakhane, South Africa’s National Junior Culinary Team · SA Chefs Association

There are no stadiums at the Culinary World Cup, but there is a national jersey. For Team Masakhane it is a white chef’s jacket trimmed in green and gold, and the young cooks wearing it carry the same weight as any national side: years of preparation and a selection they had to win.

Team Masakhane is South Africa’s National Junior Culinary Team. Its members answered an open national call to entry, came through trials judged by the industry, and were then awarded their official colours. Several are young women who, only a few years ago, were students in training kitchens in townships and small towns. From 21 to 25 November, they compete against the best young chefs in the world.

The Culinary World Cup is one of the two most prestigious culinary competitions in the world, and it is held only once every four years. This fifteenth edition is expected to bring more than 85 national and regional teams from over 70 countries to Luxembourg.

Judges score far more than the finished dish. Team Masakhane will be assessed on professional preparation, technique, workflow, innovation, taste, hygiene and food waste. In the hot kitchen programme, the team must prepare a three-course meal for 70 guests against the clock. At this level, talent alone does not win. Precision, consistency, teamwork and the ability to perform under extreme pressure decide the result.

The squad draws on seven of the country’s leading training institutions and hospitality establishments. Each name below is a chef who already works in, or trained for, a professional South African kitchen.

South Africa is not new to this stage. Our chefs first competed internationally in 1980, and over more than four decades South African teams have come home with gold, silver and bronze medals and a place among the world’s strongest culinary nations. Team Masakhane steps into that record.

“Their brief is not to travel to Europe and imitate what other nations do. It is to bring South Africa to the table.”

Jason Whitehouse

Our food has been shaped by indigenous African traditions, Cape Malay heritage, Indian and European influences, and generations of regional cooking. In Luxembourg, these young chefs will interpret that heritage, and our indigenous ingredients, through contemporary technique in front of an international jury and audience. Food is one of the ways a country introduces itself, and this is South Africa’s introduction.

Earning a place and getting there are two different things. Representing the country comes with a long list of costs: competition registration, flights, visas, accommodation, training, ingredients and equipment. Registration, flights and visas come first, as each has to be settled well before the team travels. The chefs have already done the hard part by earning their place. What they need now is the support to take it up.

The SA Chefs Association has opened a BackaBuddy campaign so that anyone can contribute, from R200 upwards. Every contribution, large or small, moves the team closer to Luxembourg.

Hotel groups, food producers, suppliers and corporate partners can do more than donate. Supporting Team Masakhane is an investment in skills development and in the future leadership of South African kitchens: the international competition experience these chefs gain will come back with them and shape the teams that follow. In return for financial support, SA Chefs offers partners:

• recognition as an official Culinary Team Partner in Team Masakhane branding, media releases, competition programme material and SA Chefs’ national and international communications;
• exposure to an extensive South African and African media network across food, lifestyle, culture and business titles;
• partnership announcements on SA Chefs’ social media channels and website, scaled to the level of contribution;
• association with a national skills development project for young South Africans;
• additional benefits tailored to the partner’s business and level of support.

The recognition does not end in Luxembourg. Partners continue to be acknowledged through the domestic competition season as the team represents South Africa at home. SA Chefs is also open to brand activations and competitions run through the campaign.

Masakhane means “let us build together”. They are going to Luxembourg to represent a nation. Let’s help them get there.