Congratulations from all of us at Krone to the 19 women who have been honoured for their outstanding contributions to the food and hospitality industry at the 2022 FOOD XX Awards. It was likewise an honour for us at Krone Cap Classique to be present - and to pour our Vintage-only Cap Classique in celebration.
From a pool of 500 nominees each winner is a leader in their respective field.
“With the FOOD XX Awards we aim to share their accomplishments with the world, and at the same time create a space where women from all walks of life can feel inspired and supported, shared Hannerie Visser, director and founder of Studio H, the engine behind it.
The 19 ‘changemakers’ were celebrated during a special breakfast event on Tuesday, 30 August, hosted at Makers Landing in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The annual Awards, launched by Studio H in 2019, spotlight the achievements of women in all spheres of the food and hospitality industry, from farming to food styling, education, culinary heritage and more.
“Once again, we were blown away by the sheer volume of nominations received,” says Hannerie Visser, director and founder of Studio H. “It really reinforced our belief that women are the backbone of the food and hospitality industry. And now, more than ever, we need to take the time to recognise and honour their work.”
Judges were an independent panel comprising winners from the year prior. This year’s panel consisted amongst others of Mokgadi Itsweng, Bathandwa Nkambule, Loubie Rusch, Mmabatho Molefe, Dr Tracy Nelwamondo and Carla Schulze.
“We aim to share their accomplishments with the world, and at the same time create a space where women from all walks of life can feel inspired and supported,” says Visser.
At the ceremony, Visser announced that the geographical scope of the awards, which until now has been within South Africa’s borders, would be expanded to include the whole of Africa from 2023.
To mark this evolution, a newly minted award, Continental Connections, was presented to Ghanian chef Selassie Atadika, chef-patronne at the Accra-based business Midunu. Atadika, who is ranked as one of the top 100 chefs globally, is on a mission to demystify, celebrate and preserve African culinary heritage.
As an official sponsor, Krone Cap Classique presented 'The Newcomer' award. Congratulations to Nabo Binase, celebrator of African food culture and UKUTYA co-founder. UKUTYA is a food movement on a quest to shine light and bring forth African Indigenous Food through educational food experiences. We raise a toast to you!
The rest of the 2022 FOOD XX Awards winners, by category, are as follows:
Baker: Elmarié Rosochacki - owner of Mondvol Soet
Drinks - Alcoholic: Khanya Mncwabe - founder of Matawi Mead
Drinks - Non-alcoholic: Meghan Werner - founder of Theonista
Entrepreneur: Wendy Vesela-Ntimbani - founder of Matomani, a company that uses mopani worms to produce a range of sustainable food products
Farming: Sibongile Gumede - owner of the Bongi G poultry farm near Potchefstroom
Food Educator (presented by Spekko Rice): Jenny Ward - chef and culinary lead of the Makers Landing Incubator Programme
Food Icon (presented by Spekko Rice): Errieda du Toit - cookbook author, television content producer and custodian of South African food culture
Food Photography (presented by Spekko Rice): Ashleigh Frans - Wide Wing Photographer
Food Stylist (presented by Spekko Rice): Khanya Mzongwana - cookbook author and deputy food editor of Woolworths Taste Magazine
Fresh Voices in Food (presented by Spekko Rice): Dr Anna Trapido - journalist and food anthropologist
Front of House: Hélène Demetriou - co-owner of Olive Branch Deli
Future Food: Tasneem Karodia - COO and co-founder of Mzansi Meat Co
Food Heritage (presented by Nando’s): Parusha Naidoo - Afro Asian illustrator, storyteller, cookbook author and food activist
Giving Back: Hanneke van Linge - founder of Nosh Food Rescue NPC
In the Kitchen: Jess van Dyk - chef-owner of Stellenbosch restaurant Post & Pepper
Secret Ingredient: Zandile Finxa - recipe developer known as “the queen of sorghum”
Sustainability: Samkelesiwe Chunda - managing director of Sibayeni Metrofarming “Once again, we were blown away by the sheer volume of nominations received,” says Hannerie Visser, director and founder of Studio H. “It really reinforced our belief that women are the backbone of the food and hospitality industry. And now, more than ever, we need to take the time to recognise and honour their work.”
