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THE ZINGARA CHEF SHOWDOWN IS BACK
5 Jun, 2012 - 22 Jul, 2012
The heat is on as the chefs of Madame Zingara’s Cape Town restaurants prepare to battle it out in the 2nd Annual Chef’s Showcase starting on 5 June 2012 at The Sidewalk Café in Vredehoek. This spectacular cook-off will see the Madame Zingara chefs go head-to-head to win the sought-after “Chef’s Showcase Champion” title.
“The stakes are even higher this time round,” says Richard Griffin, managing director of Madame Zingara. “We’ve opened the competition to all the chefs in our restaurants; from sous chef to griller, whereas previously the executive chefs were the only ones in the spotlight. They will each have to prepare their own menu and impress a panel of judges to secure a spot in the final six contenders.”
The top six chefs will showcase their specially crafted menus over breakfast, lunch and dinner for a one week period each at The Sidewalk Café. “This is probably the hardest part of the challenge as the chef’s have to impress a pretty tough crowd; the diners,” says Griffin. “Not only do they have to blow the diner’s minds away with their culinary skills but also interact with them and share their thinking behind the dishes in an effort to gain more votes – all this while they keep the kitchen running like a well-oiled machine.
“And no doubt our contestants will have to wade through a few Masterchef-type curve balls that we’ll be throwing their way – just to keep them on their toes!
“Overall we are looking for someone who can live up to the Madame Zingara standards; someone who can create amazing food and deliver the highest quality service for which we’re universally known. I am super excited and looking forward to seeing what the chefs will bring to the table – all I can say is may the best (wo)man win!”
Griffin says that the first annual chef’s showcase not only encouraged and inspired staff to be more creative and innovative with their dishes, but also received high praise from both new and regular customers at The Sidewalk Café.
“We’ve always enjoyed incredible support from Capetonians so we’ve decided to include a little something for them in the form of a competition. By simply casting your vote you stand a chance to win one of the weekly prizes, plus a guaranteed spot in the main draw at the end of the Chef’s Showcase. “We have some great prizes lined up, but unfortunately these don’t include taking any of the chefs home,” Griffin adds with a chuckle.
The 2nd Annual Chef’s Showcase will run for six weeks starting from 5 June 2012. Watch the press for more details or visit www.madamezingara.com.
