Fourth cook-off hotly contested
ROUND four of the Walmer Park Kitchen Maestro competition last weekend saw Ronel Annandale from Sherwood triumph as she strutted her culinary stuff.
The contestants were challenged not only with the mystery box of ingredients but also came up against the talents of Hacklewood Hill Restaurant head chef Charne Pressly.
They were each given a mystery box including chicken breast with the skin on, almonds, Portobellini mushroom and First Choice Gouda.
With just 40 minutes to impress judges Chef Dewald Hurter of Makoy Food Truck, Le Creuset assistant store manager Coral-Ann Rockman and Pressly, they had their work cut out for them.
Contestant Regina Yegambaram took part with her daughters Carmel Yegambaram and Crystel Naicker in a special Mother’s Day cookoff with fellow contestants Ronel Annandale, mother of a busy two-year-old, and 21year-old Nicol Murie.
The audience was entertained by dynamic MC Niqui Cloete-Barrass, whose job for the day included giving away several Mother’s Day prizes.
Claire Land from Jeffreys Bay was one of the lucky moms, walking away with a beautiful Le Creuset cappuccino set.
Other moms won flower bouquets from Pick n Pay, chocolate and pamper gift sets from Walmer Park and Café Dulce cappuccinos.
Runner-up Regina, who brought along her Indian spice mix to share with fellow contestants, prepared a palate-pleasing Indian-inspired dish of Goan chicken curry, sesame paneer cheese and flavoured basmati rice.
It was however Annandale who took the honours with her Thai-infused chicken and mushroom coconut curry with roasted almonds on top, served with creamy cheesy mash potatoes and pan-fried butter asparagus.
Contestants also had access to a full pantry of staple ingredients, fresh produce sponsored by The Rocket Seed and dairy products from Woodlands Dairy under the First Choice Brand.
Hurter said it was a close race between the winner and runner up with a single point difference.
Rockman said: “The cook-off was very exciting and the smells coming from the kitchen reminded you of India with all the curries being made by the contestants.”
The winner said her passion for cooking had come from her mother.
“I used to help and watch her cook for our family of seven from a young age. I took over the reins from her so now when we have big family gatherings I do the cooking and my mom does the watching.”
Today at 11am Walmer Park Shopping Centre will host the last cook-off round before the semifinals on May 23, where each week’s winner will compete for a spot in the finals the next day.
The overall winner will receive a prize package valued at more than R20 000. This includes hair care from Ultimate Stylists, a Boardmans prize, dinner set from Home Etc, a Le Creuset dish, Walmer Park vouchers and a one-year VIP parking card. There is also a weekend and dinner for two at the Beach Hotel, a Woodlands Dairy overnight bag and hamper, a prize from Rafi’s, a Dulce hamper, a Times Media E-Edition subscription, a cookbook from Fogarty’s and a Cerebos hamper.
Visit the Walmer Park website www.walmerparkshoppingcentre.co.za for updates.