Berens retains title

The great thing is that young professionals returning from schools such as Silwood School of Cookery, the Prue Leith Cookery School and Warwick Chef School, bring with them not only finely-honed cookery skills, but also exciting new ideas about menus and food presentation.
At a cook off at Stables Winery in Borrowdale recently, Anna Ridgewell and Shaun Ingram, graduates from Silwood and Warwick schools respectively, made up the team representing Amanzi Restaurant, in a competition for the title of Master Chef Zimbabwe.
Operating behind their wisteria-draped cooking station, Chantelle Crous and Kerri Cockcroft represented the Desperate Housewives team. The reigning champion from last year’s contest, Ant Berens of Antonio’s Take Away and Mekka Cocktail Bar, assisted by Tara Manage, were determined to retain their title.
Dave Curtis of Stables Winery proved a genial host, encouraging his guests to enjoy a carefully chosen selection of red and chilled white wines, while the contestants rummaged through their mystery bags of ingredients.
Their task was to prepare a two-course meal within the short space of 60 minutes. Three judges, led by Mike McGrath (runner-up in last year’s competition, and expert in steak cookery) would then pass judgment on taste and presentation of all the dishes.
Highly trained and experienced chefs, Caroline Meiring and Katie Wright, were the assistant judges.
While the contestants chopped garlic, sliced mushrooms, mixed oriental marinades for prawns and sautéed pork fillets, the revellers made merry with glasses of wine, salami and snacks. All the cooks seemed under pressure, but when time was up, all the dishes looked spectacular.
After the judges had tasted and conferred, Mike McGrath announced the winner to be Berens, who is now Zimbabwe’s Master Chef for another year. If you think you would like to win this title, get your apron on, start making delicious food, and get used to cooking under pressure.
Finally, pay a visit to Dave Curtis at Stables Winery, Kingsmead Road, Borrowdale.