GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — Beth Bezuidenhoudt from Graaff-Reinet is currently studying for a diploma in culinary arts at the South African Academy of Culinary Arts (SAACA) in Port Elizabeth.
SACCA has been invited to send one student to the annual international Young Chef Olympiad, and Beth has been invited to join more than 50 student chefs from around the world to compete in the Olympiad in India early next year.
Beth was selected to take part in the competition by her lecturer, chef Ralph Gottschalk, who founded SACCA with his wife Cherilyn five years ago. She is the Academy’s top student this year, based on assessments through the year.
The competition will consist of four rounds, each of which will take place in a different city in India. The visits to New Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore and Pune promise to be a wonderful experience on their own, without the added excitement of the competition!
Beth, whose parents Fanie and Leanne own and run the Profcon Resort in Graaff-Reinet, matriculated at Hoër Volkskool in 2012 and then spent a gap year travelling overseas. One of the things she most enjoyed was experiencing the different cuisines from around the world, and it was this, as well as her experience of working at Profcon, that sparked her interest in becoming a chef.
Prior to embarking on her current studies, she completed a three-year degree at what was then NMMU in Port Elizabeth in Languages and Business.
Beth enjoys a challenge in the kitchen, and particularly enjoys the presentation aspect of her work. Making fresh egg pasta from scratch is also a favourite. When asked about the aspect of her work that she least enjoys, she very quickly responded with “washing up and clearing up”! Even though once she is running her own kitchen, she will have staff to do this, she feels that it is very important to set a good example by cleaning up after herself.
After completion of her course in February next year, she will be returning to Graaff-Reinet, where she will be taking over the kitchen and catering side of Profcon.
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