And the Silverchef 2016 Winner Is…



Welcome to the Gorilla Highlands archives. For fresh stories don't miss the Gorilla Highlands Experts Blog.

This is the second Silverchef 2016 blog post. The first covered preparations and chef arrival in a photo story form, the third is about the bigger picture, reflection and presenting all competitors and the fourth focuses on the competition winner, Levi Kato.

Chefs waiting for their turn; photo by Abby Bluth
Chefs waiting for their turn; photo by Abby Bluth

At Cephas Inn, Kabale, we found out today who the best cook of the Gorilla Highlands is. A lovely group of 12 competitors from Uganda and Rwanda showed off awesome skills preparing a two-course meal.

Bunyonyi Overland's competitor, Sam Agaba, starting to cook; photo by Abby Bluth
Bunyonyi Overland’s competitor, Sam Mbabazi, starting to cook; photo by Abby Bluth

The lodges and hotels that participated were:

Bunyonyi Overland Resort, Lake Bunyonyi
Cephas Inn, Kabale
Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo
Rafiki Guest House, Kisoro
Gorilla Valley Lodge, Rushaga
Ishasha Wilderness Camp, Ishasha
La Palme Hotel, Musanze
Mahogany Springs, Buhoma
Nshongi Camp, Rushaga
Seeds of Hope, Lake Bunyonyi
Travellers Rest Hotel, Kisoro
Virunga Lodge, Musanze

Plating for the judges; photo by Abby Bluth
Plating for the judges; photo by Abby Bluth

Each chef had to cook enough for five people, catering for vegetarians too. The meat element had to be chicken, and other ingredients were prescribed as well.

Chicken can come in very many different forms; photo by Abby Bluth
Chicken can come in very many different forms – Nshongi camp’s entry was a burger; photo by Abby Bluth

The panel judging the meals consisted of: Ruth Ndyabahika (International Community of Banyakigezi), Harriet Ingabire (Red Rocks Musanze), Sylvia Kalembe (Uganda Tourism Board), Banis Ahimbisibwe (2015 winner) and Sean Zweifler (Echuya Ecotourism Association). They gave up to 15 points for organisation/cleanliness, 10 for time management, 15 for presentation, 15 for creativity, 40 for taste and 5 for personality.

Food was much better than one could conclude based on Sean Zweifler's face; photo by Abby Bluth
Food was much better than one could conclude based on Sean Zweifler’s face; photo by Abby Bluth

The judges appreciated all submitted meals and gave certificates for exceptional quality to the following six chefs:

Bright Matsiko, Nshongi Camp
Muhamadi Topher, Gorilla Valley Lodge
Issa Karegeya, Virunga Lodge
Jocknas Kihuta, Ishasha Wilderness Camp
Julius Tibaijuka, Cephas Inn
Levi Kato, Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge

From the hands of the winner; photo by Abby Bluth
From the hands of the winner; photo by Abby Bluth

The silver hat of the overall winner finally went to Levi Kato of Clouds!

Levi Kato, overall winner of Silverchef 2016; photo by Abby Bluth
Levi Kato, overall winner of Silverchef 2016; photo by Abby Bluth

Everyone’s thanks go to Cephas Inn for hosting Silverchef 2016 and to Kazinga Tours for sponsoring two of the event’s nights.