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Heritage Day Potjiekos Challenge at Noordhoek Farm Village
Team-up for a truly South African cook-off
After 2011’s massive success, the Noordhoek Farm Village once more marries culinary expertise and South African tradition at its annual Heritage Day Potjiekos (poi-kee-kaws) Challenge on Sunday, 23 September 2012.
Along with restaurants in the community - The Toad, The Foodbarn and Café Roux - the cook-off is inviting all master potjie chefs to come battle it out – Olympic Games style – over an open fire at the Noordhoek Farm Village.
The contestants who make the best-tasting, truly South African potjie will take home the gold, silver and bronze medals.
Though, this Heritage Day affair isn’t limited to only those slaving away over their steaming, three-legged cast iron pots; visitors can sample each potjie, and can perhaps even sway the judges’ opinion. Samples will be for sale at R20 per container (and rice, containers and utensils for eating will be provided). Proceeds of the sales will go to the Love and Care Creché in Masiphumelele – a township near Kommetjie and Fish Hoek.
How the Heritage Day Potjiekos Challenge works
There is no entry fee to participate, and no limit to how many people can be on a team. Teams must be self sufficient, bringing their own pots (size four or higher), utensils, and ingredients on the day; make sure your ingredients are prepped to go, as there are no electrical points. The Noordhoek Farm Village will provide the fires for the potjies, and the coals will be ready for cooking over at 10am. That gives contestants five hours in which to present their perfect potjiekos, as judging commences at 3pm.
The final round of judging will happen at 4:30pm, and is followed by the prize giving; prizes will not only be awarded to the top three tasty potjies, but to the best dressed team. The theme is “Proudly South African”. Entries are limited and applications to compete must be sent to info@noordhoekvillage.co.za with your team name, contact details and a short motivation.
History of the Potjiekos
The direct translation for potjiekos is “small pot food”, and this stew-like South African favourite has a rich history that reaches back to the time of Dutch settlement. The concept of cooking everything in one pot comes from a traditional Dutch dish called hutspot or hotchpotch, and when the Dutch settlers came to South Africa, they also brought this manner of cooking. They used cast iron pots to cook and bake bread over open fires.
The traditional recipes include meat, vegetables, starches and, in some occasions, a dash or three of alcohol – typically beer, sherry or dessert wine, and then the slow-cooked creation is served with rice. Most potjiekos “chefs” have tried and tested their own recipes to perfection.
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