Chopping boards take centre stage at potjie competition
Mark Carrels
COOLING OFF: Patrick Knowles and Glen Clark get away from the heat of the moment to enjoy a beverage at the potjiekos competition.
With team names such as “Jammer Lappies” and “Seerenosters”, potjiekos chefs cooked up a storm at the Port Alfred River & Ski Boat Club on Thursday December 21.
The competition fundraiser for the club attracted entrants from afar-afield as the North West: the Van den Bergs, who are holidaying in the town, put their skills into the mix
Fires were lit early and above the crackling of firewood some enthusiastic and interesting banter could be heard among the chefs about the day’s prospects.
Preparations began with the sound of blades against chopping board as slicing and dicing of ingredients took centre stage. Then the careful sorting out of vegetables and spices and it wasn’t long before the pots were being stirred. And beverages passed around to quench a fast-approaching thirst.
Lamb and chicken and beef were popular on the menu and as the delicious ingredients blended and built up a head of steam, delectable aromas mixed with the fresh sea air on the banks of the Kowie.
For a small fee, hungry pub patrons next door filled up their plates to enjoy the delicious offerings conjured up by the competition entrants.
Three local professional chefs were on hand to do the tasting, with the Jammer Lappies finally being declared the winners with their Cape Malay Lamb Knuckle Curry pot. The Van den Bergs were adjudged the team with the best “gees”. All in all a great day’s foodie experience and entertainment.
Mark Carrels took the pictures.
DECISION IS FINAL: Chefs doing the judging work at the Port Alfred River & Ski Boat Club Potjiekos Competition on Thursday December 12 from the left, Justin Simpson (Chef’s Pantry), Andries Bezuidenhout (My Pond) and Irvin Arendse (Guido’s) take time out for a quick photograph.
TOP CHEFS: Winners of the potjiekos competition – team “Jammer Lappies” - Patrick Knowles and Glen Clark claim their prize at the prizegiving ceremony. On the far left is the club’s manager Chantelle Lewis.
RUNNERS-UP: “Christmas Deers” Matthew Hayidakis and Caitlyn Lewis received their prize for second place from Chantelle Lewis, centre, for their Lamb Knuckle stew dish.
ALL IN THE FAMILY: The “Seerenosters” Ettienne Van den Berg, Elitia Van den Berg, Sheldon Fuchs and Eugene Van den Berg won third prize for their “sounds like fish, tastes like chicken” offering.
CHIEF STIRRER: Patrick Knowles of team “Jammer Lappies”stirs his pot during the cook off at the Port Alfred River & Ski Boat Club.
Sheldon Fuchs of “Seerenosters” enjoys taking charge of his chicken pot at the PA River & Ski Boat potjiekos competition.
COOLING OFF: Patrick Knowles and Glen Clark get away from the heat of the moment to enjoy a beverage at the potjiekos competition.
The B-squared team of Brian and Bridget Webster take a break while preparing their beef pot.
