HTA competition prepares students for career challenges
The 2023 Victorinox and Sharp Edge Knife Proficiency Award was awarded to Rachel Britz for showing a high degree of skill with all forms of chef knives
Full-time second-year student Kayleigh Reddy won the eighth annual HTA School of Culinary Art Legacy Chef Competition.
The competition was created to inspire the minds of young chefs. It also allows the students to showcase their skills impart the latest culinary trends and further test themselves against the challenges of their chosen career.
Reddy said that the competition was an opportunity, outside of regular schooling, to challenge herself from everything she has learnt over these past two years. “It was an experience that was both enjoyable and demanding. Overall it’s an environment that promotes growth in every competitor.”
She added that there was always a thought of winning the competition in the back of her mind and now that she has won it feels elating. “I’m grateful for all the hard work that I’ve put into the competition.”
In a 2022 event, The Beginning category was added and is now a firm favourite in the competition. It was created for first-year full-time students to start honing their skills and learn the challenges of chef competition.
Seven second-year and first-year students were selected through trials to take part in the Legacy competition.
Industry placement facilitator Duane Riley explained that they were chosen as semi-finalists based on their overall performance, dish submissions, as well as marks – practically and theoretically – over a total of two years. Following a cook-off, the seven finalists were then selected.
Riley added that the main objective of the competition is to expose students to a wide range of quality products and ingredients and to allow them to incorporate them into high-quality cuisine.
Each finalist was awarded a hamper filled with various prizes from the contributing sponsors. They were also given an HTA School of Culinary Art Legacy embroidered uniform.
“The event was a greater success this year and much-needed positivity for the students. It was well-supported. The competition has already established itself on South Africa’s Culinary Calendar. HTA looks forward to hosting the competition for the ninth time next year. Thank you to all the sponsors and industry guests for making this year’s event a success,” said Riley.
Competition winners:
- Legacy winner: Kayleigh Reddy
- Second place: Rachel Britz
- Third place: Michelle Sikala
- The Beginning winner: Danielle Wächter.
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