Steven Mpete has a special dream.
He dreams that Chaf Pozi, the business he owns with Zama Zwane, wins South Africa’s Best Shisanyama competition one day.
While Mpete came close, the miss gave him a bigger appetite to make his Orlando East eatery the big winner one day.
Semifinalists Chaf Pozi, Senzi and Imbizo Shisanyama were ultimately defeated by the R1-million winner, Meet Meat.
The eatery, which is part of a butchery – Homi’s Butchery – was crowned king in the Best Shisanyama Search competition.
Owned by Homi Nyakale, the butchery and eatery are in Diepkloof, Soweto.
The Best Shisanyama Search is an annual competition for Mzansi’s small food businesses.
Mpete said he learned a lot by taking part in the competition. While he admits he lost because of mistakes he made, he now has a better shot at claiming the title next year.
“But we made it to the top four– that shows we did something right.
He said losing was not as rough as he expected because he learned so much from the competition he did not know before.
“The biggest lesson was style and preparation. You have to sell the food you make for people. Good food has to look good, too!”
The winner of the trophy also gets cash, marketing funds and a refurbished stock of Windhoek beer – Windhoek was the event’s top sponsor.
Khothatso Mokhele of Meet Meat said: “It is great to know that all the long years of hard work, long hours and absolute dedication to perfection paid off.”
Visitors got to taste the meat prepared by participants and enjoy the DJs’ entertainment.
