Spekko Celebrity Cook-Off 28 March

He is the one blogger of which one can say that he knows his port from his chardonnays; his chickens from his hamburgers and his corks from his screw tops. Emile Joubert, food writer, restaurant critic and often lauded cook, will now have to show that he knows an aged Basmati rice from a Parboiled Long Grain.

The occasion, the Spekko Rice Celebrity Cook-Off pop-up event this Saturday (28 March) at The Market at the Palms in Cape Town.

Pitching his skills against Emile’s, is kykNet Koekedoor finalist Murray Pienaar, a top baker and owner of The Bakers Dozen in Plett. Murray, a self-proclaimed crochet aficionado, will have to convince the food industry insiders that he can prepare a rice dish as appealing as an iced chocolate cake.

Kokkedoor Season 1 winner Mynhardt Joubert is now in the 2nd season of his TV series Makietie in which he stars with co-winner and Koekedoor judge Tiaan Langenegger. Mynhardt owns a coffee shop and eatery in Paarl where he also works as KWV ambassador and chef.

The three men will have strong opposition from Johane Neilson, the food editor of Tuis/ Home – one of Media 24’s top performing consumer titles. A previous winner of the Spekko Celebrity Challenge Cook-Off, Caro Alberts, makes up the final list of competitors.

If it is Saturday in Cape Town, gourmands head to The Palms Décor & Lifestyle Center to acquire some provisions for the week ahead. Over the last two years this venue has acquired the air of a sophisticated farmers’ market in Europe. Freshly harvested vegetables, fruit and herbs are sold next to artisanal meat products and fantastical baking treats.
There is live music, free parking and the chance to hob nob with the who’s who in the culinary and literary world of Cape Town.
In February last year, in a first for Spekko Rice, the brand embarked on a series of Celebrity Cook-Off Pop-Up events at the market. In the last months, food writers such as Huisgenoot, You and Drum food editor Carmen Niehaus; Herman Lensing, food editor Sarie magazine; Abigail Donnelly, food editor Taste magazine and Vicky de Beer, food editor Rooi Rose have matched their skills against food bloggers, street foodies and executive chefs.
The cook-off starts at 10 am with the judging at 12 pm. Go along to have a taste – it’s on us.

The address is: The Palms Décor & Lifestyle Centre, 145 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock, (021) 462 0394. www.palms.co.za.
Follow twitter @ThePalmsCentre or Market at the Palms on Facebook.