Lancewood recently held their Pastry Chef of the Year awards and we’ve got the scoop on the winner!
Miss Chanda du Plooy, who is a False Bay TVET College Hospitality student won the ULTIMATE LANCEWOOD PASTRY Category in the annual Young Stars Showcook Initiative Competition 2022. This was announced at the prestigious awards dinner, which is the culmination of the Young Star Showcook Competition. The winning dessert-pastry was a pistachio and almond chocolate cake with Clemen Gold Sauce.
The Young Star Showcook Initiative and Competition has been hosted annually for the past 14 years, but this was the first time a TVET College participated. In preparation for this competition, participating students received an assortment of training opportunities from the sponsors in each competition category.
College Principal, Ms Karin Hendricks said, “we need to be supporting our students in their exposure to competitions at a local, national and international level. This is a great opportunity for Chanda to pursue her career and to use this win as a platform to advance her career in the hospitality sector.”
Hosted at the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel, a key partner to the Showcook Initiative, Chanda won the coveted three-month Internship in France at Chateau De La Cruezette, with her flight sponsored by Lancewood. In addition, she was the recipient of a Kitchen Aid Mixer and an assortment of baking utensils and accessories. “Going into the competition, I felt the other competitors had an advantage, and I really underestimated myself. This was the first time the College entered and it was my first competition. After the first round of positive feedback from the judges, I realised that I should have more confidence in my talent and the skills that I learnt at the College. I also received excellent practical training support from Ms Susan Gelant at the College,” said Chanda.
For this Lancewood awards, Chanda competed against participants from Capsicum Culinary School, the International Hotel School, Cape Town Hotel School and four other specialised hospitality service institutions. The Showcook Initiative continues to broaden horizons, offering a growth path, fostering and encouraging entrepreneurship for students to prove themselves and ultimately win recognition leading to genuine career advancement to provide those next steps after graduation.
With the assistance of dedicated partners Showcook can provide superb opportunities to winners internationally as well as in South Africa’s top hotels which are committed to growing young local talent to meet the needs of our vital and burgeoning tourism industry.
ALSO SEE: https://www.foodandhome.co.za/on-shelf/modern-baking-by-donna-hay
ALSO SEE: https://www.foodandhome.co.za/how-to/12-top-tips-for-better-baking
Fatima is the editor of Food&Home. Trained in English Literature and recipe development, she can be found eating her way through Cape Town armed with a cookbook in her bag and her camera at the ready.