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To celebrate its 21st anniversary, Capsicum Culinary Studio – South Africa’s leading culinary school – last year pledged to give away bursaries to all the winners of its Culinaire Challenge Cook-off competition.

And it has done just that with bursaries awarded to 20 aspiring chefs who took part in the cook-offs held at the school’s seven campuses across the country.

To enter, contestants had to send in a video showcasing their culinary skills, from ingredient selection to final presentation. Applicants also had to include an explanation of their choice of dish, why it was representative of their skills and write a motivation as to why they should be the recipient of a bursary.

More than 550 entries were whittled down to a 63 finalists who then had to participate in live cook-offs, held at the school campus of their choice, with three hours to prepare a dish using the ingredients of a mystery box that was revealed on the day.

And the 20 winners, in alphabetical order, are (with campus of choice in parentheses):

Amanda Ibezim (Nelson Mandela Bay)
Banqobile Buthelezi (Ruimsig)
Busisiwe Zondo (Boksburg)
Elliot Khoza (Pretoria)
Karabo Sello (Rosebank)
Lebogang Chechane (Pretoria)
Mbali Gaveni (Rosebank)
Mogau Mahutla (Pretoria)
Mpilo Nxumalo (Durban)
Nonzwakazi Makhanya (Durban)
Ntsako Nxumalo (Rosebank)
Palesa Thoabala (Boksburg)
Pamela Mokabo (Cape Town)
Petunia Thebe (Ruimsig)
Robert Johnson (Cape Town)
Sarah Tshdohelo Mchunu (Boksburg)
Shannon Smith (Cape Town)
Siphamandla Manqunyana (Nelson Mandela Bay)
Siyamuthanda Makhanya (Durban)
Thabiso Moiloa (Nelson Mandela Bay)

Says Capsicum Culinary Studio CEO Renee Hill: “We’d like to thank all those who entered and especially to the 63 contenders who gave up their weekend to take part in the final cook-off. And of course huge congratulations to the final 20 winners who all did so well and have an exciting culinary career ahead of them.

“The judges were really impressed by the high level of competency shown by all the  contestants, and we look forward to welcoming them on campus to start their chosen programmes.”

The bursaries on offer include a one-year Professional Chef Programme, a one-year Professional Patisserie Programme and a six-month Foundational Cookery Programme.

The contest had the official endorsement of the SA Chefs Association with some of the chefs from the association participating as judges.

For anyone who fancies kickstarting their culinary career at Capsicum, the school will be hosting registration days and evenings on:

Saturday, February 1 from 09h00 to 12h00
Wednesday, February 5 from 18h00 to 20h00
Friday, February 7 from 18h00 to 20h00
Saturday, February 8 from 09h00 to 12h00
There will also be an Open Day taking place at all seven campuses on Saturday, February 15 from 09h00 to 12h00.

For more information call 086 111 2433 or email chef@capsicumcooking.co.za