Kabomo wins Nando’s grillers challenge
In an intense two-day Nando’s Grillers’ Challenge 2024 that was hosted in Gaborone on Friday and Saturday at African Mall and Main Mall outlets, Odirile Kabomo successfully defeated fellow grillers and scooped this year’s title.
Kabomo proved to have the best grilling art skills as his chicken stole the hearts of the judges not because of how it was perfectly grilled but also the taste blew them away. During the semi finals the previous day, Kabomo jokingly told his fellow contestants that he will win the completion because he was bringing his A game and he has proved that he was not making empty promises. He walked away with a P3, 000 cash prize, a certificate, a trophy and a flight ticket to Kasane where he will be representing the country at the International Grillers’ Challenge. It will be the first time Botswana Nando’s hosts the international challenge.
Kebabiditse Sontaga from Maun Nando’s scooped the second position and walked away with P2, 500 cash prize, and a certificate. She will also join Kabomo for the International Grillers’ Challenge in Kasane. He also scored himself a ticket to Kasane for the challenge. Mmuso Mogaleemang earned himself position three and won P1, 500, a certificate and a gift hamper. Samuel Kebadirile, Mathews Matebu and Tiroyaone Mompe scooped positions four, five and six respectively. They walked away with P1, 000 cash prize each and certificates.
The two days of the Nando’s national Grillers’ Challenge 2024 were blissful with entertainment from the crew who came from different restaurants across the country. They gave both
venues a vibe with beautiful songs as they cheered their grillers. The contestants worked within given time to grill the most delicious chickens. In an event themed, ‘It is not about the chicken, it’s about the people who make the chicken, Nando’s proved to care much about its employees and encouraged them to continue perfecting their grilling skills.
The support and unity from both grillers to the staff who were supporting their master grillers was also a good sight to watch. They sang traditional choirs (dikhwaere) and gospel while blowing the whistle and chanting.
Grillers also had an opportunity to get a word of encouragement from last year’s Master Griller who told them to be themselves and go with the flow while making the scrumptious chicken. He also wished all of them some luck. Other grillers from top 10 who did not make it to the finals also did well in showcasing their skills but there could only be one winner for the game.
For Botswana to host the international Master Grillers challenge for the first after being in the market for 31 years is a great milestone. Nando’s management said they were confident that with the winners chosen on Saturday, the possibility of bringing the international trophy was high.