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Season winner Gershwin Gordon says the food truck market is slowly growing in South Africa.
Gershwin Gordon. Picture: Gershwin Gordon/Facebook
Winner of the inaugural cooking show, Nyama Battle Gershwin Gordon admits that the food truck market in South Africa might not be as big as you find in the US, but says the market is slowly growing.
“It is definitely not as popular as in the countries mentioned but I believe there is a great uptake in it especially the fact that it is so versatile, great for entertainment spaces, a friends outing other than your normal restaurants or eateries,” Gordon told The Citizen.
On Sunday, Gordon became the first winner of Nyama Battle, the e.tv reality cooking show that celebrates street food.
In the US, the food truck market has seen growth in the last few years. According to culinary publication The Restaurant IQ, there was 15.9% growth between 2018 and 2024. This puts the total number of food trucks in the US at 58 064.
Gordon says the Western Cape is more receptive to food trucks in South Africa.
“It is doing better in the Western Cape that in JHB but we are getting there and it is picking up. In this day and age it is very important to really do what you love to do and I believe that we are still going to see many food truck parks and spaces pop up in the future,” he said.
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Being on Nyama Battle
Nyama Battle premiered in February and was hosted by media personality Lebogang “The Funny Chef” Tlokana. Chefs Keagan Maistry and Moses Moloi judged the show.
The season saw twelve aspirant chefs take each other on to win the prize, a new Nissan Navara and a trailer for their food business.
“Being the first Nyama Battle champ is truly one of the greatest achievements of my chef career thus far. It was a true miracle from day one,” shares Gordon.
Before entering the competition, the winning chef said he wanted to approach banks to fund his business, but couldn’t because of other pressing family needs.
“Little did I know God was preparing it for me all debt free. So besides winning the title, it also answered prayers for me and I am truly grateful and honoured that I won.”
Gordon’s ambitions were to always win, he says, but he says it was no walk in the park.
“I had some real tough competition and the challenges were definitely challenging from communication in the team with team challenges, perseverance, innovation, time management, creations and team work. These were all very crucial throughout the competition.”
He recounts how the final round was the most intense for him because he was down by two points.
“This obviously put so much more pressure on me knowing I am in a two point deficit. It also had its pros as I had to compose myself, focus, bring more than just my A game and continue doing what I do best. In the end I made a great comeback and proved myself worthy of the title.”
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Giving back
Gordon says the win is life-changing and that he hopes to make a difference in the lives of others and somehow give back.
“It is not all about business and making money but imparting skills and giving hope to others. Your past and where you are from really doesn’t determine your future,” said Gordon.
The Welkom native says if someone were to tell him that he’d win such a competition, he‘d have laughed in their face.
“I would probably laugh and say you’re crazy but my passion and persistence for food from a very young age really paid off and I can’t wait to see what’s next. I am also pleased to announce the making of Fire & Dough, that’s what I am calling my new addition to the Gordon’s Creations family,” he said.
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