Danny’s winning bunny

Ask any Tongaatian about a bunny chow and they are sure to point you to Danny’s House of Curries, home to the bunny chow voted best in KZN.

Thanks to his mother-in-law’s secret recipe, a perfect blend of spices, good bread and a passion for food, Danny Naidoo has been crowned king of the bunnies, once again.

“We enter the same recipe every year,” said Naidoo, who won the prestigious annual Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer Challenge for the third time on September 6.

Naidoo said about 72 stores in KZN are invited to enter the competition. Three months before the challenge, mystery shoppers visit the stores, taste the bunnies and rate their experience.

From there, the top 50 are selected, followed by the top 20 and finally the judges visit the restaurants and choose the best ten for the bunny cook-off at Blue Lagoon.

“They send all sorts of people as mystery shoppers. Sometimes they send a man in a suit, another time, a guy in overalls and gumboots,” said Naidoo, who sells about 100 bunnies a day.

Naidoo said the judges test consistency, as they want to make sure that you serve everyone the same way, every time.

“For me, it is about good curry. I do not care if you are rich or poor. When you give me that R47, I give you the best bunny chow you will ever taste,” said Naidoo, who also won a trip to Mumbai as part of the prize.

What makes his curry so moreish, is his own secret blend of fresh, pure spices, his chef, Dolly Lahldas’ wooden spoon and of course his mother-in-law, Radha Moopanar’s family recipe.

“Her recipes have a way of lingering in your mouth, making you want a second bite every time,” said Naidoo, who runs the shop with his whole family.

Another winning factor is his presentation.

“Your eyes eat before your stomach, so we make sure our food looks as good as it tastes.”

You also cannot be shy to get down and dirty with your bunny.

“The best way to eat the bunny is by hand. Break off the piece of bread and dip it into the curry, dismantling the bunny as you work your way down.”

For this reason, Naidoo said the right bread is key.

“If your bread selection is not right, your curry will become slimy. The trick is to make sure there is not a lot of air in the bread.”

Naidoo said that he would not be where he is today without the support of his staff, Roy Reddy, Prema Govender, Krish and Maggie Moopenar and his wife, Rajini.

So, if you have not yet had a Danny bunny, get to 235 Gopalall Hurbans Road, join the queue, warm up your fingers and dig in.