The Mzansi Tavern Chef competition is the apex of a campaign by Distell to promote food serving in taverns as one of the measures to address binge drinking. Eating food before and during alcohol consumption is a practical way to regulate consumption and avoid intoxication. I attended the Western Cape Cook-off on Tuesday 7 February 2023 at Nederburg, where 15 tavern chefs cooked up a storm outside on a steamy day in Paarl. Only one man was brave enough to enter and he impressed with his delicious burgers and salad. I am keen to visit his tavern in Khayelitsha some time! But the queen of the day was Grace Telana from Tshawe's, also from Khayelitsha, and she was so emotional it was a while before the organisers could present her with the wonderful cheque of R30 000! Judges Bennie Masekwameng, Pete Goffe-Wood, and Monhla Hlahla were blown away by the quality of the food, ranging from pasta to salads, to burgers and salad, as well as traditional pap and liver. What a great vibe, with Good Hope FM doing a live broadcast from the competition. I look forward to this initiative really making a difference to the binge-drinking in South Africa! Find our more HERE