KNYSNA TOURISM LIVING LOCAL GREEN CHEFS WINNER ANNOUNCED

The Knysna Tourism Living Local Green Chefs initiative, in partnership with Wesgro, has announced Francine Wagenaar the winner of the 2014 competition held during the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival.

The Green Chefs initiative is part of an African Slowfood movement, with the ultimate objective to build an international network of Green Chefs that shares a common philosophy. The initiative encourages local chefs and cooks from a particular geographical area to cook with locally sourced or cultivated ingredients, producing traditional, time honoured recipes.

Knysna Tourism Manager of Development and Trade Promotion Glendyrr Fick says the initiative provides a platform for those with an interest in a career in food to pursue their dream. “Finalists get the opportunity to design, plan and dish up a menu of their own choosing. For many it is their first opportunity to engage with patrons in a restaurant-like setting, and by taking part in the cooking course, all finalists of the initiative can open the door to making their cooking careers a reality.”

Finalists planned and executed a menu, including a starter, main and dessert, which was served to the public at a reasonable cost during the mid-week period of the festival at the Knysna Tourism Office located at 40 Main Street.

Ms. Wagenaar took the win with her menu of Leek and Potato Soup, a choice of Lamb Breyani or Lentil Curry each with Sambal, and Tipsy tart with custard by a slim margin amongst stiff competition from the group of six finalists.

As the winner Ms. Wagenaar was awarded with a R1000,00 cash prize. The remaining finalists were awarded a runner-up prize of R500,00 each. All six finalists were also awarded with wine, courtesy of Van Loveren, and all will enjoy a Cooking Course at Kilzers Cookery School worth R3500,00 per person.

Knysna Tourism CEO Greg Vogt says the annual competition is only one part of the broader programme which started three years ago. “Each year the competition takes place during the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, but ultimately this initiative will serve to create new careers for those involved, many of whom are offered further employment opportunities that range from National Parks to Green Chefs Kitchens at festivals & events.”

All ingredients used in the preparation of meals at the Green Chefs initiative were sourced locally. The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is famous for its ongoing investment in the local community and has over the past seven years given back an incredible R8,7-million to local charities and initiatives like this.

Author: Theresa Lozier from FinePlaces PR.
More Info link: https://www.oysterfestival.co.za
Images: For high res version/s of One image/s please contact: FinePlaces PR.

Left to Right: Elize Koen standing next to Francine Wagenaar