Bunny Chow Barometer
THE aroma of spices will waft through Durban’s Blue Lagoon on Sunday when 10 eateries vie for top honours at the 14th Coca Cola Bunny Chow Barometer competition, of which POST is a media partner.
In addition to winning the best bunny chow title, the new reigning eatery will receive prizes worth R30 000 as well as a R10 000 store make-over.
The KZN events manager for Coca Cola Beverages South Africa, Kas Naidoo, said: “In Durban, we are always talking about bunny chow and we found people enjoy it with Coke. So we are proud as a brand to be associated with the traditional meal.”
He said while taste was key, the mutton bunnies had to be well presented and the eateries needed to create a good vibe.
The event starts at 10am and the winner will be announced at around 3.45pm.
The popular Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer is back, with the contest, now in its 14th year, taking place at Blue Lagoon in Durban on Sunday. Some of the 10 finalists, out of 70 eateries that applied, are new to the bunny chow scene, while others have been around for many years. All of them believe they have what it takes to be crowned king or queen of South Africa’s favourite spicy meal. CHANELLE LUTCHMAN meets the finalists… Chetty’s Takeaway – Jacobs Years in business: 24
The reigning champions will walk into this year’s competition with their heads held high.
“Last year we came in as the underdogs and since winning, business has bloomed. We even prepare DIY bunnies for customers to make at home,” said cook Shaun Chetty, who added that they were excited about the challenge and were keeping their cool.
While she is used to hearing compliments about her food, Chetty said her mother-in-law should share the praise. “She used to cook at the store until she taught me. Our business is all about family. Although I am the cook, every dish has to pass by my husband first before we serve our customers. It has to be up to standard.”
Café India – Seaview Years in business: 13
After making it to the top 10 for the past 12 years, Devan Moodley believes this is the year the café will win – again.
“We won back-to-back in 2010 and 2011 and finished a close second in 2012 and 2016. Last year we finished third and took away a special award. This year, we are going all out. We deserve this win.”
The secret to a great bunny, he added, was the flavouring of the curry.
Swaadisht – Shallcross Years in business: 6
The 2012 Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer winners are back in the competition after two years.
While they are in it to win it, they say they also planned on honouring the original store owner.
“My dad, the founder of Swaadisht, Jay Rambulip, died a few months ago. He loved the bunny chow and the concept of the bunny chow competition, so we want to honour him,” said his son Sanjeev.
He added that they had nine branches in Durban and their first eatery would soon open in Johannesburg.
Curry O’s – Northdene Years in business: 3
Owner Ranjini Naidoo started cooking and selling food 35 years ago from a trailer at the Bangladesh Market in Chatsworth.
“After 12 years, I moved to a Wendy house in Moseley and then my store in Northdene.”
The store won a special award in the Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer Competition for best decor last year, and came second in the main category.
Five Star Takeaway – Effingham Years in business: 3
First time entrant Five Star Takeaway is up to the challenge at this year’s competition.
“We have good food and we have been receiving excellent reviews since opening shop. When we make the food, you can taste our passion, hard work and dedication,” said Avish Lachman.
The secret to a great bunny, said Lachman, was a combination of great spices, soft melting potatoes and extra gravy.
North Beach Café – Durban Years in business: 20
The cafe’s Jhaved Khan said a customer requested they consider entering.
“Being chosen in the Top 10 against 70 other eateries in Durban is an amazing feeling. We have a great chef, our food is packed with flavour, gravy and the best meat.
“We always pride ourselves in giving people what they want and what we would want to serve to our own loved ones,” he said. “I suggest people come and try our food and they can judge for themselves.”
The Bunny Bar – Morningside Years in business: 2
The first time participant believes the secret to a great, flavourful bunny chow is love.
“You can taste it in the food and it adds to the flavour,” said Gary Butterson, who added that a customer encouraged them to enter. “So we decided, why not, take a shot and here we are.”
He said they used the best products. “We don’t buy cheap. It’s always the best brands, the best cuts of meat and from highly established places.”
Jeera Restaurant Years in business: 14
“The bunny chow is a traditional cuisine and we serve authentic Durban cuisine, so we decided why not enter?
“It feels as though we are the underdogs, but we are up for the challenge,” said Kevindren Pillay.
While Pillay said staff were excited for this weekend’s competition, he added that they were expecting to see many familiar faces in the crowd.
“Our loyal supporters said they would join us on the day to show their support and of course eat our bunnies.”
BP Express – Chatsworth Years in business: 20
Cook Marlene Moodley said although the core business of the service station was fuel, they found that since finishing third in 2016, their bunny chows have overtaken the sale of pies and bakery goods.
“When we entered the first time, we came out third. It has been exciting for us and since then we have had more foot traffic in the store. We find ourselves cooking more often for the bunny chows each day and what’s even crazier, is the demand is so high we sometimes sell them at 2am.
“I suggest if people want to know what makes us different from the rest, they can come down this weekend and decide for themselves.”
Fire n Spice – Durban Years in business: 9 months
Shireen Maharaj said she often cooked at family functions and making the top 10 was an accomplishment.
She used to cook at her husband’s eatery, Maharaj’s, in Newcastle, until it closed down and their son Avinash pushed her to open shop.
“He knows my passion is cooking and suggested I get back into it. I promise those who come over to our tent, will not be disappointed.”