The Breco Seafood Master 2024 event, held on 10 October 2024, showcased an inspiring display of young culinary talent and creativity, with students from COOKtastic taking center stage. The competition brought together aspiring chefs from disadvantaged backgrounds, placing them in teams to create seafood dishes using sustainable ingredients.
COOKtastic, the culinary training program empowering young individuals from underserved communities, continues to pave the way for future chefs in the hospitality industry. Through their four-month intensive program, which includes culinary and work-readiness training, COOKtastic equips young people for entry-level roles as assistant chefs. Beyond training, the organisation offers job placement support and entrepreneurship guidance, providing students with vital tools for long-term success.
At this year’s competition, the students were tasked with preparing seafood dishes that adhered to sustainable practices, promoting environmental consciousness in the kitchen. Among the standout dishes was the creation by team Soul Fish, comprised of Aya Tiso, Tanaka Chiwenga, and Sibusiso Nkomombini. Their seared yellowtail and prawn ceviche-style dish not only won over the esteemed panel of judges but also earned them the coveted title of Breco Seafood Master 2024 champions. The dish demonstrated a thoughtful balance of flavours, showcasing their technical skills and innovative approach to seafood preparation.
The judging panel, which included private chef and consultant Dion Vengatass, chef and TV presenter Yolani Abrahams, Angela Barker from WWF-SASSI, and Sadiqa Fredericks, Quality Assurance Manager at Atlantis Foods, praised the students for their creativity, attention to sustainability, and commitment to quality. The judges’ expert feedback provided valuable learning opportunities for the students, further shaping their culinary journeys.
In addition to the winning team, the top 10 students from the event will progress to the prestigious Young Chefs Competition, where they will compete against other culinary students from across Cape Town. This next phase offers further opportunities to hone their skills and potentially make their mark in the region’s thriving culinary scene.
Breco Seafoods remains committed to supporting these young chefs-in-training by not only providing platforms like the Breco Seafood Master competition but also offering an accessible and broad range of sustainable seafood to South African families, helping to inspire the next generation of culinary talent.
Congratulations to all the participants for their outstanding efforts, and a special thank you to the judges and COOKtastic for continuing to nurture the future stars of South Africa’s culinary world.
