We challenged readers to swap a tedious car ride for a quick commute on the Gautrain and spend the time they saved dreaming up a speedy dessert recipe to enter in the 2018 Sunday Times Goodlife Gautrain Taste Experience competition.
We received loads of recipes from around the country. Sunday Times food editor Hilary Biller narrowed them down in order to find 10 finalists, who then had to compete in an action-packed cook-off in order to win one of the grand prizes.
The event took place at the Pick n Pay Good Food Studio in Sandton, Joburg, and had all the makings of a MasterChef-style cook-off.
Each finalist was allocated a cooking station and 60 minutes to make and present their dessert to a panel of four judges: Chef Kabelo Segone of HTA chefs school, vice-president of the SA Chefs Association;
Dorah Sitole, former magazine editor and food stylist;
Dr Barbara Jensen, Gautrain Management Agency's senior executive manager: communication & marketing; and
Sam Rolland, winner of the 2017 Sunday Times Goodlife Gautrain Taste Experience competition. The judges, in a room next door to the heat of the kitchen, had a tough job selecting a winner and runners-up, but no sugar overload could stop them savouring each of the finalists' dishes.
"I never knew how stressful it is cooking in front of the cameras," said one contestant, wiping her brow. "It looks so easy on TV," she said.
After much consideration and consultation, the judges chose William Boonzaier's one-pot Christmas pudding as the winner. Made in potjie pot, this dessert featured balls of sweet dough studded with dates and nuts and cooked in a sweet syrup.
The judges felt it contained all the elements of a good South African pudding: flame, potjie, jam, fruit and syrup.
Boonzaier was elated. "I enjoy cooking on the fire, especially in the bush, and this is a treasured family recipe I've shared over and over again," he said.
This time Boonzaier brought a potjie pot into the kitchen and cooked the pudding on a gas cylinder.
Jessica Govender was named first runner-up for her delicious twist on a classic bread pudding. Flavoured with saffron, rose water and cardamom, and sweetened with condensed milk, her dessert was inspired by a childhood favourite.
"I was born into a family of eight and you can imagine that times were tough for my parents. Bread pudding was our favourite affordable dessert. I have fond memories of my mum baking it," she said.
Second runner-up Lucille Kistiah fried up golden churros served with chocolate vodka and pina colada-inspired sauces.
Boonzaier won R7,000 and the two runners-up received R3,000 and R1,000, respectively.
Our remaining contestants didn’t walk away empty handed. They each received a fantastic hamper, and all the guests enjoyed a special dessert from Sally Williams...