Over 100 Attempts To Finally Reach Championship Boerewors Top 10
![](https://startupmag.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/jasper-gordon-780x470.jpg)
Over 100 Attempts To Finally Reach Championship Boerewors Top 10. Whilst some were lucky enough to make it on first try, many of the Shoprite and Checkers 2024 Championship Boerewors competition finalists have been refining their recipes for decades, submitting a combined 100+ entries before finally landing their spots in the Top 10.
Leading in determination is Ashook Beharie, from Ladysmith in KwaZulu-Natal, who has been entering for the past 30 years: “Winning this competition and having my recipe sold as Championship Boerewors throughout the entire country will be a dream come true,” says Beharie, a Regional Meat Market Manager for Checkers.
Close on his heels is Rasheed Hassan, from Randgate in Randfontein, Gauteng: “I have tirelessly been adjusting and finetuning my boerewors recipe for 22 years and am super proud that at long last I managed to find the perfect combination of different spices,” said Hassan, a Regional Meat Market Manager for Shoprite.
Animal Health Technician, Werner Gouws, from Riviersonderend in the Western Cape, has entered the competition at least five times since 2006 and says that his wife and children continue to encourage him to enter because they firmly believe he makes the best boerewors.
The top ten master boerewors makers impressed an expert panel of judges from the South African Chefs Association (SACA) over multiple rounds to earn their spot in the finale to be held in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 August 2024. Here they will prepare and cook their boerewors for judges Zanele van Zyl, Carmen Niehaus, James Khoza, Matthew Howcroft and Martin Kobald.
The winner will be declared on the day and will take home incredible prizes – including a brand-new Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD RB AT – and the coveted title of 2024 Boerewors Champion. The winning recipe will also be for sale in Shoprite and Checkers stores nationwide from 06 September 2024.
The top 10 finalists in no particular order, are:
- Moshasheni Mabotja, who works at the Department of Public Works in Polokwane, Limpopo
- Werner Taljaard, a Checkers Regional Meat Market Manager from Yzerfontein, Western Cape
- Werner Gouws, an Animal Health Technician from Riviersonderend, Western Cape
- Rasheed Hassen, a Shoprite Regional Meat Market Manager from Randfontein, Gauteng
- Jasper Gordon, a Checkers Regional Meat Market Manager from Strand, Western Cape
- Ruard Briel, a Financial Manager from Centurion, Gauteng
- Debbie Nel, a volunteer at Domino Foundation from Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal
- Marthinus Verwey, a Checkers Regional Meat Market Manager from Bloemfontein, Free State
- Ashook Beharie, a Checkers Regional Meat Market Manager from Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal
- Elrico Jansen, a Trainee Butchery Manager from Kimberley, Northern Cape
The prizes:
- 1st Prize: Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD RB AT and R20 000 cash
- 2nd Prize: R50 000 cash
- 3rd Prize: R30 000 cash