NANDO’S HEATS UP PE WITH THEIR ANNUAL SHISA NYAMA CHAMPIONSHIPS.

This weekend, the popular Nando’s Shisa Nyama Championship finals return, this time to Port Elizabeth.  This is the first time this national event will be held in the Eastern Cape.

Nando’s Shisa Nyama final will take place on Saturday 1 November at the well known Port Elizabeth, Walmer Township Shisa Nyama outlet, Chilleks.  The competition will see 11 participants from across the country in a heated cook off for a share of R250 000 and an opportunity to host the championships in 2015. 

The competition is fierce this year and finalists will have to step up their game by showcasing their best recipes using Nando’s famous Peri Peri sauce.  “This championship is about more than just slapping meat on a fire.  We want to see the contestants show flair and that important griller’s intuition.  We want to see something more than just cooking-by-numbers.  We are expecting big things from this year’s finalists, as all the final recipes have the potential to inspire future Nando’s sauce product lines,” says Thabang Butelezi from Nando’s Groceries.

The other finalists include the following Shisa Nyamas: Endaweni (Vosloorus, Gauteng), Joe’s Butchery (Alexandra, Gauteng), Phillip’s Place (Tembisa, Gauteng), Monateng Café (Sebokeng-Vaal, Gauteng), Msiza Butchery (Tsakane, Gauteng), Bahama Bar (KwaThema-Springs, Gauteng), Waterland (Polokwane, Limpopo), Industrial, maPhindi’s ,Pulema (Daveyton, Gauteng) and the new kid on the block.

Each participant will have their own stand to showcase their grilling skills and recipes that have to incorporate one or more of the Nando’s Peri Peri Sauces. A credible panel of judges will determine the winner based on; creativity, taste, presentation & how well the meat is cooked. This includes a blind tasting process.  The juding panel is made up of Hilary Biller (Chef), Llewellyn Mateza (Chairman Meat Board), Siphamandla Shabalala (Nando’s International Champion Griller 2013).

This year’s host, Chillecks from Walmer township in PE, is owned by sales and marketing manager Siyabulela Dandala. Chilleks opened its doors in December of 2011 with financial assistance from the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC). The funding enabled Siyabulela to purchase stock and equipment and turn what once was a dilapidated building into a highly revered entertainment spot. Chilleks took the Nando’s Shisa Nyama Championship prize in 2013, coming out a clear winner despite fierce competition from Gauteng entrants.

The success of the Shisa Nyama Championship is through Nando’s partnership with support from the following organizations: Radio 2000, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, Bay TV, SAB and Garden Court-Kings Beach.  Guests will be entertained by DJs from Radio 2000 who will also be broadcasting live from the venue.