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PE Shisa Nyama chosen to compete in first-ever national Shisa Nyama Championship

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Popular Port Elizabeth Shisa Nyama, Chilleks, has been chosen as the only such establishment from the Eastern Cape to compete in the first-ever Nando’s Shisa Nyama Championship to be held at Bahama Bar in KwaThema, Springs, Gauteng later this month.

In an unprecedented move, Nando’s Retail Division has put out a challenge to 12 of South Africa’s Top Shisa Nyamas. Of the 12, Walmer township’s Chilleks is one of only three shisa nyama’s outside of Gauteng chosen to participate. These grill masters will compete against each other for the main prize: a R25 000 cash prize and an all-expenses paid opportunity to host the 2014 Shisa Nyama Championship.

Started in December 2011 with R350 000 funding from development financier, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Chilleks, a typical restaurant, shisa nyama, sports bar and car wash, offers high-end township entertainment.

In this historical township, Chilleks Place is providing a unique and excellent combination of food, sports pub, and a car wash with a fun and entertaining atmosphere.

A sales and marketing manager at a chemical company, owner, Siyabulela Dandala says the concept was to create a fairly semi-up market restaurant with bar and braai facilities whilst as a patron have the choice of having your car washed/cleaned.

“The R350 000 from ECDC allowed me to buy stock and equipment to start the business. I had to renovate a dilapidated building and turn it into an entertainment spot.

“It is humbling that barely two years later we have been chosen to represent the province in a national competition. We were notified via a phone call that we had been chosen to participate in the competition. Nandos has also recently paid a visit to Chilleks for a promotional shoot,” says excited owner Siyabulela Dandala.

On October 26, a Chilleks grill master will put his skills to the test against some of the country’s most popular shisa nyama’s such as Mzoli’s based in Gugulethu in Cape Town. Other participating shisa nyama’s include KwaMax (Umlazi, KwaZulu-Natal), Endaweni (Vosloorus, Gauteng), Joe’s Butchery (Alexander, Gauteng), Corner Fresh (Alexander, Gauteng), Phillip’s Place (Tembisa, Gauteng), Monateng Café (Sebokeng,Vaal, Gauteng), Roadhouse (Dobsonville, Gauteng), Msiza Butchery (Tsakane, Gauteng), Bahama Bar (KwaThema, Springs, Gauteng) and Pulema (Daveyton, Gauteng).

Each participant will have their own stand where they will showcase their grilling skills in full view of the public. Each one is expected to create a special dish, incorporating one or more of the Nando’s Peri Peri Sauces. This will be the main dish they will be judged on.

A credible panel of judges will determine the winner based on taste and presentation. This will follow a blind judging process, which means that the judges won’t know who prepared the dish before them.

ECDC senior account manager Wayne Mahoney says the owner recognised the fact that due to the competitive nature of this business, innovative ideas need to be implemented to establish a loyal client base.

Mahoney says “one should also note that Dandala invested approximately R50 000 of his own funds in the business, which we believe is key to the success of the business.”

“So far the Chilleks journey has been an exciting experience. The response to the establishment has been good. For example, without marketing, the opening day the turnout was unbelievable. There was nothing like this in Port Elizabeth before. The city was crying for this type of establishment,” says Dandala.

“I must express my gratitude to funders such as ECDC who helped us get off the ground. I have also learned the importance of having proper business systems in place so that the venture can run smoothly even if you are not there all the time. It is also important to invest in the right people who will mirror your strong work ethic,” says Dandala.

Dandala says in addition to its other business operations, Chilleks Place which employs 14 people, also provides live music from various South African musicians and assists companies to launch their products.

Author: Lunga Mtshizana

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Port Elizabethan

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