A team of four City Lodge Hotels chefs has made the group super proud, earning second runner-up and a prize of R15,000 at the 2026 Game of Chefs competition – the only WorldChefs-endorsed culinary competition in South Africa. The event, sponsored by EconoFoods, took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre as part of the Africa Food Show from 10 to 12 June 2026, with 11 teams competing for the top three spots.

Representing City Lodge Hotels was a squad calling themselves the "Culinary Cartel", made up of Sous Chef Cathrine Chetty from City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront, who served as team leader, alongside Junior Sous Chef Lauren Sisam and Commis Chef Shawaaz Brenner, also from City Lodge Hotel V&A Waterfront, and Junior Sous Chef Jodi Tshazibana from Town Lodge Bellville.

The competition challenged teams with a mystery basket of mandatory ingredients – chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, snails, hake fillets, and strawberries – from which they had to create, cook and present a three-course menu for 15 people in 150 minutes.

The Culinary Cartel rose to the occasion with an inventive and beautifully composed menu:

• Starter: Grilled hake and rainbow slaw with garlic and herb snail dressing
• Main course: Mushroom and mozzarella cheese chicken roulade with carrot purée, roasted cocktail tomato, chimichurri, and crispy chicken skin
• Dessert: Citrus sponge, goat's cheese cream, Italian meringue, and a citrus and strawberry salad

Trevor Boyd, Operations General Manager: Food and Beverages, praised the team's clever use of the mandatory ingredients, the quality and flavour of the dishes, and the strength of their teamwork throughout the competition.

Please join us in congratulating Cathrine, Lauren, Shawaaz, and Jodi on this well-deserved achievement! It's a wonderful showcase of the culinary talent we're fortunate to have in our kitchens.

We traditionally do well in this culinary competition:

2025: Second Runner-up by “Team City Slickers” from City Lodge Hotel OR Tambo International Airport, headed up by Executive Chef Devandra Narismulu, with team members Tendani Bugana, Thapedi Shialoane, and Marian Joppan (prize – R15,000)

2024: First Place by team from Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, headed up by Executive Chef Natalie Schoonbee-Rozentvaig, with team members Ro-Anne Williams, Erick Mbudu, and Evans Mtombela (prize – R40,000)