2014 NANDOS SHISA NYAMA CHAMPIONSHIP CROWNS ENDAWENI SHISANYAMA

The township of Walmer in PE was brought to a halt this past Saturday, 1st November for the 2014 Nandos Shisa Nyama Championships finals. Over 2000 patrons including sports stars, academics and media flooded the host venue, Chillex Place to experience and taste Nandos inspired dishes from the 11 contestants from all corners of Mzansi vying for a share of R250 000. In its second year of running the Nando’s Shisa Nyama Championship proved to be gaining popularity among the different small enterprises from all over the county.

The contestants we first taken through a competitive fierce dish preparation pace workshop on Friday at the Capsicum Culinary Studios in Port Elizabeth before the main event on Saturday. The workshop results were also counted in the final judging process for the overall winner.

The 2014 Nandos Chisa Nyama championship was scooped by Endaweni Shisa Nyama from Voslorus in Gauteng, the prize included a trophy, a cheque worth R155 000 plus an opportunity to host the 2015 Nandos Shisa Nyama Championships. The runner up, Vaal Monateng Shisa Nyama pocketed R50 000 and the third prize of R30 000 was won by Mveza Shisanyama from Walmer, a developmental candidate who was identified on the side of the road not far from Chillex for a R15 000 business support value to grow their operations.  

The judges could not stop raving about the creativity that inspired the winning dish from Chef Mphayi Mdluli and Neo Khoaripe (owner) of Endaweni, a former cigarette-marketing representative. The dish fused three Nandos sauces, pepper, garlic & chilly on a lamb rack with a sprinkle of wine, vodka, herbs and veggies. The judges considered creativity, inspiration and unique taste, and members of the public sampled dishes from each participating shisa nyama. The meat varied from chicken and lamb to beef, pork and prawns.

Thabang Butelezi, Nandos groceries marketing manager for South Africa, said the purpose of the competition is to push the boundaries of traditional shisa nyamas and encourage creative use of Nando's sauces.

"We did more than others, hence we won. But if truth be told, all of other guys deserve the win as well, although the judges had to select one winner, says jubilant winners from Endaweni Shisa Nyama. "We're going to invest the prize into our business since we're hosting next year and also equip our staff with skills," they both agreed, after being asked how they were going to use their winning lot.

About Endaweni Shisa Nyama

Since June 2009, Neo Khoaripe founded Endaweni famously known for its braai meat, wors and pap together with sauces. Endaweni has become an awesome Vosloorus landmark. Our regular customers include well-known socialites and they all keep returning not just for the food and car wash but to be entertained by popular artists performing live at the venue. Endaweni is known to be the best place to remedy a hangover. After a hectic night on the town, people pull up to have their cars washed and eat braaied meat. A typical young socialite will spend a day here on Saturday or Sunday having their car washed and enjoying food and partying till the next morning. We normally bring in Top Dj’s on Saturdays or Sundays and we offer special car wash prices. Along with the meat, there is also pap, chakalaka and atchar available on the menu. Stay a while as the day turns into night and the party begins with the latest house music to entertain.