The highly anticipated Mzansi Food & Drink Show, which looks set to become South Africa’s biggest culinary extravaganza, takes place at the Kyalami Convention Centre from June 15-17.

The brainchild of RX Africa, the company behind some of the country’s premier events, including Decorex JHB, Comic Con Africa, Africa Travel Week and FAME Week Africa, this inaugural mega food and drink festival will incorporate the successful Coffee & Chocolate Expo and the popular Fire & Feast Meat Festival with new additions such as the Fine Food & Wine Show, the Bar & Good Spirits Showcase and the Mzansi Food Market.

Along with the numerous sponsors and exhibitors already on board, the show’s organisers have announced two competitions that will take place during the show.

The Chief and Charge Corporate Cook-Off Challenge

In this challenge, company teams consisting of a CEO, COO, CFO or CMO, together with a company colleague and a professional chef assigned to their challenge, will cook off against each other.

Each of the three-hour challenges will take place in two open theatres on the Fine Food & Wine Show floor, which will be kitted out with work benches, kitchen equipment and appliances and staple ingredients.

Teams will work with their assigned chef in advance to plan a three-course fine dining meal with their menus due for submission before Friday, May 31.

Within two weeks of confirming their entry, teams will also have the option to challenge a rival company to compete against them after which time the organisers will assign competing teams.

Teams will need to provide their own ingredients and any other specialised kitchen appliances and equipment not provided by organisers.

Team menus will be tasted and scored out of 60 by three independent judges immediately after the cook-off challenge, with the top two teams competing in the final challenge on Monday, June 17.

For those interested in entering their organisation into the Chief and Charge Corporate Cook-Off Challenge, can contact hanli.goncalves1@rxglobal.com for more information.

The Best Braaier in Mzansi

Individual braai stations will be set up for 20 entrants to showcase their preparation and braaiing skills.

Each contestant will be tasked with cooking a three-course meal on the grill – a starter, a main course and a dessert.

From May 1, potential participants will be able to submit an entry form via the Fire & Feast Meat Festival social media platforms (FB: The Fire & Feast Meat Festival; IG: Mzansi Food & Drink Show; X: Mzansi Food & Drink Show) with planned menus an integral requirement of entry submissions.

Tickets for the Mzansi Food & Drink Show went on sale on March 15.