Young chef Eugene Ramcharan is the happiest cook in Mzansi after winning the Distell Inter Hotel Challenge.
This tough competition, dubbed the Oscars of the hotel world, happens annually and aims to provide mentorship for the country’s hospitality industry.
The much anticipated event was attended by the cream of South Africa’s hoteliers, chefs, wine professionals and vintners as well as top companies that supply the hospitality industry.
The initiative, championed by Cape Legends, is hotly contested as hotels around South Africa present their proteges.
The candidates compete in different categories over a period of months.
Eugene, who won the coveted Best Chef 2017 title, has been a chef at Tsogo Sun’s Beverly Hills in Umhlanga Rocks since 2015.
He said his love of food and cooking started at an early age when he used to watch his mother and gogo prepare food.
“I was always in the kitchen, helping with daily food preparation as well as cooking the meal of the day. School holidays were happily spent experimenting with dishes and recipes.
“I like to cook simple, well flavoured dishes and am particularly drawn to the fresh Italian cuisine.”
He said he hopes to travel and learn about different food cultures, while his ultimate ambition is to own his own intimate bistro in the future.
Eugene has won a three-week visit to Dubai with The Marriott Ritz-Carlton Hotel and their flagship JW Marriott Marquis, where he will experience fine dining and see large scale catering.
Chef Ramcharan presented a a delectable “Dark Choc & Orange Delice” dessert which impressed the judges.
He served it with an almond brandy snap, mashed strawberries, cognac cream and a mixed berry gel paired with exquisite Bisquit cognac.
