Lowveld entrepreneurs preserve top spots at SA Championships
Small-scale artisanal producers outshine major commercial brands in a record-breaking field of 700 entries.
Three local businesses, Epa!, Oh La-La! and Joubert en Seuns Padstal dazzled judges with their preserves and condiments at the South African Preserve Championships at Eensgezind in Durbanville on August 27.
Epa!, known for its delicious pestos and sauces, secured three first positions for its LeMayo Basil sauce, Herb Garlic and Black Pepper, and Herb Garlic Jalapeño pestos. The judges, however, could not get enough and also awarded them 10 additional second- and third-place prizes for a variety of their products.
One-woman business wins top chutney award
Oh La-La!, owned by Erika Botha, also walked away with the winning prize for its banana and apple chutney. “Winning first place for my chutney at this year’s SA Preserve Championships was a great honour,” Botha said.
“As a one-woman business, it means the world to me, especially given the participation of many large, well-known manufacturers.”
She also won a third-place prize for her Boerejongens preserve.
Joubert en Seuns Padstal, known as the popular food stall next to the N4, proudly announced its first place for its chunky orange jam. It also won prizes for its mango chutney and mango jam. “Many thanks to Agri-Expo for an excellent event and competition; what an honour it was to be a part of it,” the company said.
Record field of 700 entries judged blind
The competition attracted a record 700 entries from 85 producers across the country. This made for stiff competition with entrants such as Forage and Feast, Woolworths, Ina Lessing and many more.
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A panel of 61 judges, led by chief judge Susina Jooste, assessed entries across more than 100 classes, ranging from jams, marmalades, chutneys and pickles to pestos, olives and a host of other innovative preserves.
All entries were judged blind by a diverse panel of experts representing the food, hospitality, retail and agricultural sectors.
These three preserve kings have made the Lowveld proud, showcasing the region’s best produce and homemade products.
