Windhoek
Namibian Junior Chef Jo-Andre Pretorius has been awarded a wild card to attend and compete in the world final of the Global Chefs Challenge in September in Greece.
This follows after her exploits at the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Global Chefs Challenge in the Junior Chefs Challenge for Africa and Middle East category in Abu Dabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) recently, where she won a silver medal. Pretorius, and Chef David Thomas, also from Namibia, were competing in the Global Chefs Challenge with Thomas competing in the seniors category. It’s an intense competition, allowing three hours to build up a menu for four or six people, including a starter, with Norwegian salmon, Norwegian white halibut, scallops and Wasabi; a main course using Dutch veal, with veal loin, veal blade and veal sweetbread; and a dessert, using dark chocolate from Valrhona and a selection of exquisite teas coming from Dilmah tea in Sri Lanka.
Acording to Pretorius although it was difficult to make time to practice, she manage to take the second place. “It was definitely unexpected but it’s not impossible to fight for what you want to achieve in life. Winning was a proof that hard work and dedication does pay off. It’s unbelievable, I cannot put it into words to explain the rush of adrenaline, the stress, the pressure and the passion all in one, it was just triumph,” says Pretorius excitedly.
She adds that she saw and learnt a lot on how to grow as a person and an incredible chef. “For someone who wants to go further and achieve their dreams and goals, it really is mind blowing,” says she adding that being prepared is needed but it is also important to be able to think on your feet all the time as things do not really goes as planned. “David and I somehow managed to find three days to practice and plan and see what works and what doesn’t. The first few times are disappointing and it breaks you down when something doesn’t work, but for me failure needs to happen, it makes me push harder and want it even more.”
They competed against professional and sharpened chefs from countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Egypt and Qatar.