Sweet chef to attempt world records
DOUGLASDALE- Famed pastry chef, Nicholas D van der Walt, will be attempting to break two world records at the South African Sweet and Snack Expo in April.
Van der Walt is the co-owner of the FBI Chef School and pastry academy near Douglasdale. While this talented pastry chef is now world- renowned he comes from very humble beginnings. Van der Walt grew up in the Karoo learning to make local treats like koeksisters and fudge.
“I am so blessed to have grown up in the Karoo; like they say ‘sout van die aarde’ [salt of the earth] people [live there],” he said. “I have learned that simple things in life count, like hard work, honesty and sharing.”
At the Sweet and Snack Expo Van der Walt will attempt to make the world’s largest chocolate painting and the world’s smallest, which will be the size of a rice grain. He explained that the most nerve-wracking part of the feat will actually be the transportation of the large painting.
This is not the first extraordinary feat Van der Walt has attempted – he also made a 10m x 6m x 4m chocolate rhino last year in Bloemfontein which needed 1.3 tonnes of chocolate to create.
While the chef is known for his chocolate masterpieces his favourite desserts do not actually include chocolate. “I love anything with passion fruit, crème brûlée, sorbet and mousse,” he said.
Van der Walt had a few words of advice for young people looking to become chefs. “First of all, you have to have a lot of passion – I mean a lot – and you can’t do it for the money but for the love of it. The money will come,” he said.
Van der Walt will be performing the world record attempts at the South African Sweet and Snack Expo at the Coca Cola Dome from 11 to 13 April.
Details: www.thesweetcandyfair.co.za
