WHEN the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in 2020, chef Tyron Adams (31) was among those who suffered the consequences of the crisis in the hospitality industry.
He was retrenched and left without a job, with little hope for his family as breadwinners.
But now, three years later, he has been crowned the winner of the 2023 Shoprite and Checkers Championship Boerewors Competition.
The grand final of the competition, in its 31st year, took place in Somerset West, Cape Town and was hosted by South African actor and comedian, Jason Goliath.
The 10 finalists from around the country cooked their boerewors in front of a panel of experts that included Zola Nene, Jeff Schueremans, James Khoza, Zanele van Zyl, as well as Carmen Niehaus.
The aim was to prepare their own unique traditional boerewors, but the catch was that it had to be 90% beef, pork or lamb, have a distinctive combination of spices and finally not include garlic, paprika, chilli chutney, cheese and peri-peri, among other things.
Tyron's boerewors won the hearts of the judges, who were impressed by its unique blend of spices.
He walked away with incredible prizes, including a brand-new Toyota Fortuner, R20 000 in cash and the chance for his winning recipe to be available at Shoprite and Checkers shops nationwide from 8 September 2023.
He plans to use the money to push his business as a private chef, which he started after being retrenched.
Tyron Adams (31) is the winner of the 2023 Shoprite and Checkers Championship Boerewors competition. The Wellington-born chef was up against nine other finalists from across the country at the grand finale held in Somerset West, Cape Town. pic.twitter.com/Ci4SzQA4EM
— Zandile Ethel Khumalo (@Ethel_Khumalo) August 27, 2023
Speaking to Zanele, she told Daily Sun that they were looking for a contestant who could mix spices and be careful with the texture of the wors. Tyron knew what it takes to make the perfect blend of spices.
Among the judges this year were Zola Nene and Zanele Van Zyl who said they were looking for a contestant who was able to play around with spices and was careful with the texture of the wors @dailysunsa pic.twitter.com/JkCWLk3IHc
— Zandile Ethel Khumalo (@Ethel_Khumalo) August 26, 2023
Other winners include Eddie Hawkes (49) from Brackenfell, who came in second and Gustave Piek (45), who took third position. They both promised to enter the competition again in 2024.
