Stokvel groups battle it out in cooking challenge

This came after stokvel groups around the country were invited to enter the 2016 Stokvel Cooking Challenge, to show off their creative culinary skills and win a share of the R50 000 cash prize.

Stokvels then responded to the call, submitting recipes, their photographs and motivation as to why they should be considered to take part in the cook-off.

The first round of semi-finals took place at the Elangeni Powertrade Cash & Carry in Daveyton where the stokvel groups Love Thy Neighbour Women’s Club, Unity Society Group (from Soweto) and the Siyathemba Stokvel (from Daveyton) competed against each other by preparing mouth-watering starters and main dishes using a mystery basket of ingredients.

Love Thy Neighbour Women’s Club impressed the star judges – singer, actress and White Star celebrity chef, Lucia Mthiyane, and MasterChef SA 2014 runner-up, Siphokazi Mdlankomo – with their frikkadels, pap and salad starter and their chicken, pumpkin and mushroom main.

Cynthia Ngidi of Love Thy Neighbour Women’s Club said they were thrilled to have gotten through to the next round of the competition and that they hope to win the grand prize.

She added that if they win the grand prize, they would like to better their community by investing in a children’s dance, sports and acting group that will keep the children busy during school holidays.

Runners-up, home team Siyathemba Stokvel, expressed their joy at having made it this far in the competition.

“We are happy with the way we performed and we learnt a lot from this experience. If the competition does take place next year, we will ensure that we participate again,” said Elizabeth Mkhonza of Siyathemba Stokvel.

Ntokozo Ntuli of Unity Society Group shared that it was a great experience for them and that they were looking forward to entering again and hopefully winning the finals in future.

Love Thy Neighbour Women’s Club will represent their region in the finals taking place on June 4.