Chef Pieter Malan triumphs at Culinary Olympics in Germany
This chef recently overcame some challenges to secure a bronze medal in his debut Olympic performance.
Pieter Malan, a well-known and much-loved chef from the Lowveld, showcased his culinary skills at the 26th annual International Exhibition of Culinary Art (Internationale Kochkunst Ausstellung) IKA/Culinary Olympics held in the Messe Stuttgart, Germany, on February 6.
Despite the economic challenges stemming from lockdown preventing the bronze-winning South African culinary team from attending the IKA 2024, Malan, currently serving as the executive group chef for the Fiesta Royale Hotel Group in Ghana, took the initiative to compete individually.
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Expressing gratitude for the support from his hotel group, he acknowledged their sponsorship, proudly representing both South Africa and Ghana under the Fiesta Brand. In his debut Olympic performance, Malan excelled in the culinary arts division, securing a bronze medal for his outstanding skills. He considers the bronze medal an honour, acknowledging that it signifies recognition for his hard work and preparation. Malan views this achievement as a starting point, expressing his desire to share his culinary art skills with a broader audience.
Presenting a total of eight dishes, each comprising a sophisticated combination of over 96 elements, he dedicated each West African cuisine creation to his sons, Zion, Samuel and Albertus. According to Malan, his kelewele crème brûlée is dedicated to Albertus, embodying the dish’s fun and bold characteristics. The guineafowl dish with yam and a deconstructed waayke represents a new start in his life, reflecting the strength and fearlessness of Zion. His hibiscus and coconut flower will be dedicated to Samuel, mirroring his complexity, intelligence and out-of-the-box thinking.
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Upon his return to South Africa, Malan plans to enjoy a holiday with his family before returning to Ghana to fulfil the remainder of his contract. In October he will complete his international food adjudication course, with his final exam scheduled at the World Chef Congress in Singapore. Simultaneously, preparations for the 2026 World Cup of Chefs in Brussels will commence.
The Fiesta Royale Hotel, awarded the Best African Cuisine – global winner and the Best Luxury Innovative Restaurant – global winner by the World Luxury Restaurant Awards in 2023, will see Malan and his team defending their title throughout the year. Expressing his hope to share his Olympic menu with Lowvelders, Malan looks forward to returning to the Culinary Olympics in 2028, aiming to defend his medal and achieve a higher placement.
