Hillcrest braces itself for junior chefs cook-off

ASPIRING young chefs can test their culinary skills at the Hirsch’s and Defy Super Chef cook-offs in Hillcrest on Tuesday, 26 May.

The young chefs range from eight to 13 years old, and will battle it out for a spot in the KZN regional finals. Winners will pitch their skills against finalists from Ballito, uMhlanga and Springfield Park in the grand final, which takes place at the East Coast Radio House and Garden Show on 3 July. The winner in the regional competition will receive a trophy and their own Defy microwave air-fryer oven.

Hirsch’s uMhlanga branch recently held the first cook-off for budding junior super chefs in the uMhlanga area. Beating 10 contestants and landing a spot in the KZN regional finals was twelve-year-old Alicia Khanyile.

Each child was placed at a working station with an induction hob, a microwave air-fryer oven and a food blender. They were given a mystery box of ingredients and an hour to prepare and complete their dish.

The Hirsch’s Defy Super Chef cook-offs will take place in all the areas in which Hirsch’s operates. Ballito will hold its cook-off at the Hirsch’s Ballito showroom on 12 May and Hirsch’s Superstore (Springfield Park) on 13 May. Cook-offs in the Gauteng area will be on 19 June in Centurion, 24 June in Silverlakes, 22 June in Boksburg, 23 June in Meadowdale, 25 June in Fourways and 26 June in Strubens Valley. The public is welcome to attend these events, which take place from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.