What is the Great Karoo cook-off ?

The initiative was born from the annual “Braaidag” on 24 September or as it’s officially named “Heritage day”. This holiday is about bridging gaps and bringing together the various and diverse cultures of South Africa.  We aim to achieve this goal by sharing unique South African dishes made on an open fire, outdoors. This is also the most basic rule of the competition, open fire. From braai to “potjie kos” to “skaapkop” whatever the cook-off teams can come up with to impress the judges. This year we are adding an extra twist, all dishes presented to the judges need to have at least one Karoo element. There is a Junior Cook-Off this year, sponsored and managed by OK foods Beaufort west, and one of the judges, Chef Shane Phillips will do a cooking demonstration for all the aspiring chefs.

Every year we invite a charity organisation to benefit from the event. This year it will be Huis Henri, an assisted living facility for adults living with Prader Willi Syndrome, run by the Henri Warnich Foundation, a registered NGO. Huis Henri is the first and only home in South Africa for adults with Prader Willi Syndrome. https://www.henriwarnichfoundation.co.za/

There will be food and market stalls and live entertainment on the stage.  WESGRO, the official marketing body for the Western Cape, has kindly provided financial support to assist us with marketing. Local and other businesses get involved as sponsors to make this event a success.

History & Location.

This is the 4th year of this event. It has been a learning curve but the cook-off has found a home at X Venture’s Beaufort West. This facility provides a great outdoor vibe. There is a tented area and an outdoor and indoor stage. Swimming pools, play parks for the kids, lots of space for a large variety of stalls, and most important of all, plenty of outdoor braai areas to facilitate such an event.

Planning for 2022

As with most events, we plan to grow even bigger, trying to get more Karoo people, businesses and artists involved. This year we will have a Walk a Wheel, a 2.5km Fun run where participants who take part need to have some sort of wheel with them. Other fun activities will include; a Junior Cook-Off, Cycling time trials, BMX Races, mini soccer, and mini rugby teams. Food and market stalls, putt-putt, paint-ball target shooting, outdoor Life entertainment. We have Keenan Cerff the established stand Up comedian with opening acts for names like Trevor Noah and Mark Lottering we are honoured to have him as our official MC for the day.  Keenan and Co will entertain us with stand-up comedy and Byron Mini with live “lekker braai kuier “ music for the evenings prize giving event.