Two Cape Town chefs, Nicole Bowes and Matthew Maree, are the toast of the town after they were crowned winners of RCL Foods’ Young Chef competition.
The pair, who worked as a team, achieved a score of 90% to clinch the win that came with a gold medal and R15 000 cash price each.
Bowes and Maree are currently students at Silwood School of Cookery in Rondebosch and to be considered, they had to submit recipes for a restaurant's main course and innovative dessert course before the competition.
The pair then cooked both dishes in the finals, along with a mystery basket to prepare a starter.
Bowes said their victory was only sinking in now: “Each time I re-watch the award video or get congratulated by someone, I am overwhelmed with so much gratitude for the experience and everyone involved.”
Maree added: “I’m extremely happy. It took a few days for reality to set in, but looking back now, it’s a great achievement and I’m proud of Nicole and myself.”
The pair said winning the competition would propel their careers to new heights.
Maree said: “I would like to hope that it’s given us a bit more exposure in the industry, which is always important in the hospitality industry. It is also going to look good on my CV.”
Bowes added: “I love creating and cooking. The significance of this moment is that it has confirmed this is where I am meant to be.”
Bowes would like to explore new business ventures in the future.
“In the long run, I want to have my own business. In the meantime, I am going to get as much experience in as many areas of the industry as I can so that when I start my own business, I have a strong foundation of knowledge,” she said.
Maree said he would like to incorporate a farm-to-table cooking style.
“I enjoy knowing where my food comes from, as well as being involved in the process of obtaining it before presenting it as a final dish,” he said.
Head of RCL Foods and chef Brad Kavanagh said this was the first time in many years that contestants achieved a score above 90%.
“For some years, we have seen competitors do well but not quite make it to the 90% gold standard. Well done to the winners,” he said.