VIDEO: Food critic vs restaurateur in Umhlali

With much banter and more than a few jibes aimed at each other (and - quite bravely - at the judges), Dave and Brett whipped up a pair of stunning dishes and the starters to go with them.

October 27, 2016

Allan Troskie 1 minute read

Dave Hoehler and Brett Michielin went head to head in a no-holds-barred cook-ff in Umhlali last night.

Sizzling food and sweating chefs were the order of the day as restaurant critic Dave Hoehler from The North Coast Courier and restaurateur Brett Michielin from Mo-Zam-Bik went head to head in an epic cook-off at The Workstation in Umhlali last night.

Christ Church North Coast organised this foodie-fun evening as part of their initiative to connect with the community and spread the gospel.

The dishes were judged by a panel of culinary experts including Corinne Austin (local foodie and food blogger), Althea da Silva (local chef), Owen Lloyd (head chef at Old Town Italy in Umhlanga) and Hugh Hodge – the surprise judge picked from the audience.

The panel of judges tasting some of Dave Hoehler and Brett Michielin's culinary masterpieces during the cook-off in Umhlali.Owen Lloyd (head chef at Old Town Italy in Umhlanga), Corinne Austin (local foodie and food blogger), Althea da Silva (local chef - and honourary 'Simon Cowell'), and Hugh Hodge - who was the surprise judge picked out of the audience. — The panel of judges tasting some of Dave Hoehler and Brett Michielin’s culinary masterpieces during the cook-off in Umhlali.Owen Lloyd (head chef at Old Town Italy in Umhlanga), Corinne Austin (local foodie and food blogger), Althea da Silva (local chef – and honourary ‘Simon Cowell’), and Hugh Hodge – who was the surprise judge picked out of the audience.

With much banter and more than a few jibes aimed at each other (and – quite bravely – at the judges), Dave and Brett whipped up a pair of stunning dishes and the starters to go with them.

Brett prepared a Makowe pasta as a starter and a fantastic duck breast in orange and strawberry sauce for the main dish, scoring 7,8 on both dishes while Dave threw together some whiskey fried prawns with tropical salsa and a plum and lime sauce as a starter and fresh ravioli filled with gorgonzola served with smoked beef shavings and basil pesto – scoring 8,3 and 7,2 respectively.

Dave pulled out all the stops - even preparing his own pasta. — Dave pulled out all the stops – even preparing his own pasta.

In the end Brett took top spot, beating Dave with 15,6 points to Dave’s 15,5 (which didn’t stop Dave from celebrating prematurely when he thought he’d won).

Big spoon - little spoon. Brett Michielin ended up taking the cake during the cook-off last night, with Dave Hoehler missing out by 0,1 points. — Big spoon – little spoon. Brett Michielin ended up taking the cake during the cook-off last night, with Dave Hoehler missing out by 0,1 points.

WATCH: take a peek inside the action as restaurant critic Dave Hoehler and restaurateur Brett Michielin go head to head in an epic cook-off

PICTURES: some of the locals who came out to enjoy an evening of real foodie-fun

Tamsyn Ferreira, Lindiwe Mchunu and Debbie Joubert making the most of the cook-off.

Heidi van Schoor and Kathy Roostee enjoying the evening.

Jacques and Brigitte Lotriet decided to come and see what all the fuss was about during the great cook-off at Christ Church North Coast.

Norman Bellamy and Chris Smith came for an evening of good food and good conversation.

Caitlin Kader and Nichol Naidoo came out to enjoy the cook-off at The Workstation last night.

A few of the organisers from Christ Church North Coast. Kim Carr, Richard Edgcumbe, Lindsay Husted and Chris Husted.

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October 27, 2016

Allan Troskie 1 minute read

VIDEO: Food critic vs restaurateur in Umhlali

With much banter and more than a few jibes aimed at each other (and - quite bravely - at the judges), Dave and Brett whipped up a pair of stunning dishes and the starters to go with them.

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