This is a going to be a late afternoon of fun for the kids, some sociable drinks for the parents and then you can stay on for an early evening dance/supper (kids welcome to stay…).  Phone us to make your booking!

On your way to the game, pop past the Farm Village and taste some of the entrants in the Heritage Day Potjie Challenge.  All three restaurants (café Roux, The Toad & The Foodbarn) will be taking part and members of the public can submit an entry and join in on the cook-off.  R20 lets you sample the different potjies (and try influence the judges) and all proceeds go to the Masi Rugby Club. 

The afternoon began with a warm-up tequila and briefing for the seemingly nervous contestants.  They were taken to their cooking stations, given their aprons & told about the first challenge.  The first round was a burger challenge & they were allowed to fill their shopping bags with any ingredients from the well-stocked pantry table.  We saw lamb burgers, beef burgers & even an Aubergine burger being whipped up in only 30 minutes.  Tony, Andy & Bruce cooked the most impressive dishes & Brooke was chosen as a wild card for her impressive Vegetarian creation.

The final round saw them doing a Mystery Box challenge (trout, prawns, dark chocolate, strawberries & a few other bits & pieces).  After 40 minutes, the contestants were made to once again line up & the judges tasted their dishes one-by-one and Andy's Prawn Salad was the clear winner

Big thanks to all involved.  Our awesome judges – Brad Ball from Bistro 1682, Vicki Sleet (www.iwantthat.co.za) and Bern Le Roux (www.livetoeat.co.za).Mary Steward was brilliant as MC, pulling the whole event together with her presenting skills & quick wit (look out for her new show coming to cafe Roux later in the year…). And of course, our sponsors, who donated to the wonderful list of prizes that is heading Andy's way:

• case of Weltevrede Vanilla Chardonnay
• mixed case of Waterford wine
• food hamper from Pesto Princess  
• R500 cafe Roux voucher
• R300 meal voucher for Westlake Arms
• dinner for two at Salt Restaurant, Ambassador Hotel
• opportunity to spend a weekend shadowing judge, Brad Ball, in Bistro 1682's kitchen. 

Go to our Facebook page to see more photo's…

THE 6 CONTESTANTS

BRUCE MATTHEWS lives in Noordhoek. An admirer of Jamie Oliver, he is happiest making homemade pasta and identifies eggs as his weak area in the kitchen. Bruce loves to cook for family & friends and is famous for his Greek lamb.

TONY BROWNE can be found strumming his electric guitar at café Roux most Sundays. He loves cooking for his wife and rates fillet steak as his signature dish. But give him some seafood or anything Italian and he feels pretty much at home. Just like Bruce, eggs are his weakness, and he names Guy Fieri as the chef he most admires

ANDY MILLS sees herself as a bit of a Nigella Lawson in the kitchen. Famous for her chocolate brownies and home-style cooking, she remains unsure as to whether she loves cooking or eating more! She is happiest whipping up a stir-fry or curry for her family and leaves the braaiing up to friends. She lists our two judges as her personal food heroes.  Nice one.

KYLIE VAN DEN BERG is the last born to a family of 6 children so she is used to cooking for the masses. She loves food that is quick & easy, Italian or Mediterranean, and she avoids baking at all costs. Jamie Oliver is her favourite celebrity chef and she names wild mushroom risotto as her top dish to make.

BROOKE IRVING is our only vegetarian in the line-up. Her style of cooking is Al Fresco – “a bit of this & a bit of that” and she strives to make all the mouths at her table happy. She is mad about Mexican cooking and whipping up salad dressings. Another Jamie Oliver devotee, Brooke admires his passion for food and desire to teach & change the world.

DOUGIE BOYES can often be found standing around a braai. After a few drinks, he is known to clap very loudly. Inspired by Floyd on France, he is happiest braaiing for friends but often gets involved in the kitchen with his wife & kids. Desserts are a "no-go" area and he loves anything that involves a bit of sauce, living by the mantra “you can never have too much jus”.

THE 3 JUDGES:

BRAD BALL is excutive chef at Bistro 1682 at Steenberg Vineyards.  He is the brains & the palate behind this stylish new cellar door eaterie.  He brings 12 years of of cheffing experience & a wealth of knowledge to the judging panel.

VICKI SLEET is the voice behind iwantthat.co.za blog.  She has written for an array of magazines over the last 10 years – Eat Out, Eat In, Taste, Wine Magazine, House & Leisure, Elle Decoration and many, many more. She brings good wit and all-round culinary experience to the judging table.

BERN LE ROUX is part-owner of cafe Roux, author of award-winning cook book "Prickly Pears & Pomegranates" and writer of food blog, Livetoeat.co.za.  Bern will be looking for dishes that not only look good but show some personality on the plate.

THE MC:

MARY STEWARD entertains audiences across the country with her one-woman shows:  "Bridesmaid", "Womanhood", "Mens Rooms" and more.  Having performed them all at cafe Roux, you might also have seen Mary MC'ing cafe Roux IDOLS.  Her talent and comedic gift add a special touch to any event.