The competition took place at restaurant and café, Circus Circus at Gateway. “I had so much fun during the cook off! It’s always great to take part in new things and to meet new people. This campaign has given me the opportunity to grow while exploring the culinary industry. The Circus Circus chef that I worked with, Dan Evans, was very professional – he is definitely one of the best chefs I have ever met,” says Mbatha.

Mbatha’s winning menu comprised of; thinly sliced Norwegian salmon ‘Turin’ style for starters; oxtail ravioli for the main course and Palermo kisses for dessert. “Dan Evans taught me how to present food beautifully. I also realized that it’s impossible to be a chef without a hardworking team behind you,” says Mbatha.

Visitors to Gateway are invited to make a booking with their selected restaurant to attend any of the remaining four evenings in order to enjoy a night of entertainment and healthy competition between well known local celebrities. The remaining restaurants in the series include; Italian, Greek and Portuguese restaurant, Piatto; Mugg & Bean; Cape Town Fish Market; and New York Style, Sevruga.

On each restaurant’s evening, the meals prepared by the celebrities will be in line with the restaurants normal food offering. Times are 18:30 for 19:00 and R120 per person for a set menu which includes starter, main and dessert.

Gateway VIP members can win a table of ten at each Celebrity Chef Showdown evening by burning 2000 points that they have earned. VIP members also stand a chance to win one of two holidays valued at R18 000 each: a trip for two to the 7 star Karkloof Safari Spa.

Gateway’s Celebrity Chef Showdown dates and venues:

Tuesday, 27 August – Deena Naidoo vs. Wendy Knowler: Piatto;
Tuesday, 3 September – Terrence Bray vs. Kathrin Kidger: Mugg & Bean;
Wednesday, 11 September – Stefan Terblanche vs. Tatum Keshwar: Cape Town Fish Market; and
Tuesday, 17 September – John van de Ruit vs. Jailoshini Naidoo: Sevruga.

To book a seat, contact one of the selected restaurant. For more information, visit www.gatewayworld.co.za.