I love anything that has to do with helping the youth of Botswana. Especially when the unemployment rate in Botswana is sitting at 18.10 per cent. Anything that helps the young find jobs is fantastic, that’s why I like the idea of this comp.
It’s called The BelServest National Amateur Culinary Challenge. It’s for individuals who have a passion for food and aspire to turn their amateur cooking into full-time employment. This is for the youths of Botswana who are looking for a job but get turned away due to the lack of experience and qualifications. BelServest wants to provide these amateur chefs with a platform to develop new skills and gain exposure. You know the show on DSTV, Australian Masterchef, it’s kind of like that.
The top 20 participants will get put into a Master Class week. There they’ll gain confidence and knowledge. It’ll essentially help to sharpen their kitchen skill set. The Master Class week will include a short course on the kitchen, food safety and hygiene. As well as the opportunity to learn and practice different cooking techniques. This should help give the participants a foot in the door when applying for future jobs. Well, I hope so.
The Competition
This is not another cooking competition, this seems like a biggie. From the 1000 entries received, the competition panel will shortlist and contact the top 50. They’ll then submit a special home cooking challenge. As my average home-cooked meal is spaghetti and a tomato sauce it’s a good thing I’m not entering. I’ve always been better at eating than cooking. Or at least my jeans tell me so.
Once the top 20 contestants have been selected things get more serious. They’ll have the opportunity to attend a live cook-off challenge in a professional kitchen. This will be with guidance from highly qualified and experienced chefs. It’ll be in front of VIP guests and media while vying for 1 of 8 positions to compete in the finals. Yup, it’s getting hectic at this point.
The Final
At the finals, the top 8 final contestants compete in 3 rounds: Serving an appetizer, main meal and dessert to each of the 5 judges. Contestants use ingredients from a mystery box. Yes, that means they won’t know what’s in their boxes until the challenge. Each round will have a time limit and will leave the best chef standing by process of elimination. The last chef standing and the winner will receive a full scholarship to Gaborone College of Culinary Arts and an employment contract. As well as a cash prize of P10,000.
Who Can Enter?
The competition is open to Botswana citizens only who are within the ages of 18 – 35 years old, with a minimum JSSC. This competition is not for professionals. Only amateurs who have no prior formal training or qualification within the culinary industry can enter.
To enter the competition is FREE. Download your entry form now at www.bnacc.org. Be sure to submit your application before the competition deadline closes on the 6th of May 2019. Let us know if you enter or know someone that does. We’d love to hear from you. Also please share this post with anyone you think should enter the competition.
