Cape Town - Aspirant Michelin Star chef from Kraaifontein Huwitt Strydom will spend three months in Paris and five months in Massachusetts in the US after impressing judges at the Showcook Reaching for Young Stars competition, winning first prize in the Hot Chefs category.
The 22-year-old former student from Bernardino Heights High School is now in his third year of a Professional Cookery course at Capsicum Culinary Studio’s Cape Town campus.
The competition saw finalists from various culinary schools tasked with preparing a canapé, a starter and a main course.
Strydom impressed the panel of judges with his inventive dishes, which secured him prestigious prizes including a 3-month internship at a top hotel in Paris, five-months’ working experience at Winslow’s Tavern in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and a 3-week internship at the 5-star Cape Grace Hotel on the V&A Waterfront.
Strydom reflected on the competition, saying: “It was exceptionally tough and demanding and required a combination of my advanced culinary skills with creativity, speed and the ability to perform under pressure.
“For the canapé requirement, I made an amuse-bouche that consisted of whipped lime cream cheese with olive oil, chorizo dust, sautéed brunoise king oyster mushrooms, and chorizo.
“My starter was ravioli with shiitake mushroom and goat’s cheese, drizzled with sage and lime green oil, and garnished with a shiitake mushroom espuma and truffle shavings.
“For the main course, I prepared a lamb loin with a lamb and potato croquette, lamb bacon crumb accompanied by a carrot and mebos puree, and tenderstem broccoli in butter.”
The young chef’s inspiration came from his cultural heritage and regional cuisine, incorporating traditional flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques.
Strydom will leave for his Paris internship in early 2025.
Reflecting on his success, Chef Andre van der Merwe from the Capsicum Culinary Studio said they were proud of Strydom.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with Huwitt’s accomplishments. His commitment and diligence are incredibly motivating, I don’t think there is anyone more deserving than him, he’s a hard worker and super talented,” said Van der Merwe.
Cape Argus