Battle of the Chefs: Harare is a Zimbabwean reality competition television series which premiered on August 30, 2015 on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The show features sixteen contestants competing across five rounds. It is open to both amateur and professional chefs.
Show format
Basic format Battle of the Chefs is a cooking show that uses a progressive elimination format. From season 2 onwards, each season starts with sixteen contestants, with one chef eliminated in each episode until four finalists remain to battle for the title of Best Chef in Zimbabwe.
Each episode features three challenges designed to test the chefs' technique, creativity, and knowledge of food and flavour. The expert panel of three judges score the chefs' efforts during the episodes. In the end the chef with the highest score wins either an advantage or a prize; and the chef with the lowest score is stripped of their chef's jacket.
In the Technical Challenge the chefs are asked to produce their take on a basic dish. In the Innovation Challenge, they are given a basket containing three key ingredients they must use to create their most innovative dish. In the Set Recipe Challenge they are given a somewhat complex recipe to follow.
Variant formats Season 1 of the show had sixteen teams, each consisting of two individuals. In each episode, a team of chefs is required to prepare three dishes: starter, main course and dessert.
In season 2 onwards the Judges Masterclass Round features an Identification Challenge where the chefs are expected to identify a number of mystery ingredients, as well as the Replication Challenge where the chefs must watch one of the judges give a recipe demo and then replicate it. In the Semifinal Round there is a Shopping Challenge, and the Innovation Challenge requires the chefs to produce a creative platter of multiple items. The finale requires the chefs to produce a signature three course menu.
Seasons SeasonWinner(s)Runner(s)-upFinalistsAir Dates1Tafadzwa Anifasi Musodzi MushongaAnt Berens Tony AttwellN/AAugust 30 - December 6, 20152Leandrah MakayaJessica Vakos-EnglandTinotenda Mutamba Donovan LaytonApril 10 - July 3, 20163Dylan TaylorCarmen VlahakisCherron Harry Wilson JamesomApril 20 - July 13, 2017
Season 1 (2015)
Contestants Episodes EpisodeAir Date130 August 201526 September 2015313 September 2015420 September 2015527 September 201564 October 2015711 October 2015818 October 2015925 October 2015101 November 2015118 November 20151215 November 20151322 November 20151429 November 2015156 December 2015
Season 2 (2016) Season 2 was shot in a custom built studio in Borrowdale - Harare.
Naming sponsor - TM Pick n Pay
Contestant Progress +Contestant12345678910111213Leandrah MakayaSAFESAFESAFESAFEWinnerJessica Vakos-EnglandSAFESAFESAFESAFERunner-upTinotenda MutambaSAFESAFESAFESAFEEliminatedDonovan LaytonSAFESAFESAFESAFEEliminatedSara ThompsonSAFEELIMWINELIMDavid Lupenga*SAFESAFEELIMFadzayi MtuwaSAFESAFESAFEELIMJames CharekaSAFESAFESAFEELIMDimitri AdamakosSAFESAFEELIMZandi MubiSAFESAFEELIMCharlene ChisvoSAFEELIMOUTTongai ZhouSAFEELIMTinashe Sean MuroveELIMRakesh PokhriyalELIMOUTRyan MaidwellELIMOUTPortia MakwamanziELIM
Episodes ROUND ONE: GLOBAL CUISINEEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsTechnical ChallengeInnovation ChallengeSet Recipe Challenge201"Mexican Fiesta"David James
Tinotenda
PortiaTortilla Chips with Salsa & GuacamoleBeef Mince Corn on the Cob
TequilaMolé Chicken Enchiladas202"Indian Adventure"Donovan Fadzayi
Sara
RyanChilli SauceMutton Chops Chick Peas
Cream CheeseRas Malai203"Classic French"Jessica Dimitri
Leandrah
RakeshFrench Trim a Rack of LambRack of Lamb Camembert Cheese
Sun JamMille-Feuille204"Greek Games"Charlene Zandi
Tongai
TinashePita Bread DoughPita Bread Dough Sardines
CapersBaba Ganouch Skordalia
TzatzikiROUND TWO: JUDGE'S MASTERCLASSEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsJudge Technical ChallengeReplication Challenge205"African Fusion Masterclass"David Leandrah
Fadzayi
SaraInnocent MasukuDebone Whole Rabbit Rabbit Roulade with Peanutbutter Sauce206"South East Asian Masterclass"Donovan James
Zandi
TongaiCherylyn ConlonKnife SkillsThai Green Prawn Curry207"Game Masterclass"Jessica Dimitri
Tinotenda
CharleneLincoln MyamboBreakdown Guinea Fowl & Debone ThighsGuinea Fowl Ballantine with Parsnip-Pea Mash & Tarragon SauceROUND THREE: CLOSE TO HOMEEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsTechnical ChallengeInnovation ChallengeSet Recipe Challenge208"Contemporary ZimbabweanJames Tinotenda
Jessica
ZandiMarula Nut & Baobab Powder SmoothieMopani Worms (Madora) Mango
RapePumpkin Leaf Ravioli209"Hunter Gatherer" Leandrah Donovan
Fadzayi
DimitriGo Fishing & ForagingWhole Bream Pecan Nuts
Fresh HerbsMini Salted Caramel Pecan Tarts210"Wildcard Battle"Sara Ryan
Charlene
RakeshMayonnaiseMost Innovative Chicken Main CourseChocolate Soufflé ROUND FOUR: SEMIFINALSEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsShopping ChallengeTechnical ChallengeInnovation Challenge211"Contemporary High Tea"Jessica Leandrah
Fadzayi
James30 minutes & $100 to shop for ingredients at TM Pick n PaySconesHigh Tea Finger Food Platter212"Pub Grub"Tinotenda Donovan
Sara
David30 minutes & $100 to shop for ingredients at TM Pick n PaySausagesPub Grub PlatterROUND FIVE: FINALEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsStarterMainDessert213"Grand Finale"Leandrah Jessica
Tinotenda
DonnovanStuffed Pumpkin Leaf Tian of Salmon Tartar
Pan Fried Tilapia with Spatzle
Sundried Tomato Tortelini Fig & Hazelnut Pork Roulade with Potato Spiral Poached Bream with Salmon Mousse & Beurre Blanc
Beef Fillet with Cabbage & a Red Wine Sauce
Herb Crusted Beef Fillet with Tangy Mushroom SauceEton Mess Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse
Vanilla Ravioli with Strawberry Broth
Decadent Choc Brownie
Season 3 (2017) Season 3 was shot in a custom built studio in Msasa, Harare
Naming sponsor - TM Pick n Pay
Contestants Contestant12345678910111213Dylan TaylorLOWHIGHLOWHIGHWinnerCarmen VlahakisWINLOWWINWINRunner-upCherron HarryWINWINWINWIN2nd Runner-up(s)Wilson JamesonHIGHWINLOWHIGH2nd Runner-up(s)Ednos TavirimaHIGHLOWHIGHELIMChengetai Makawa*WINWINELIMTatenda NyamandeWINHIGHHIGHELIMKendall de SouzaLOWELIMWINELIMTatenda GuduHIGHHIGHELIMKundai MuchanyukaHIGHLOWELIMSue HodgsonLOWELIMOUTNicola 'Cola' Kagoro LOWELIMOUTPam TaiirodzaELIMOUTDeevya LethwalaELIMCaroline RuzarioELIMAmanda MhundwaELIM
Episodes +ROUND ONE: GLOBAL CUISINEEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsTechnical ChallengeInnovation ChallengeSet Recipe Challenge301"Americana Extravaganza"Tatenda N Wilson
Cola
AmandaCheeseburger & FriesChicken Wings Potato Chips
ColaMini Apple Pies with Caramel Butternut Pastry Cream302"Chinese Festival"Cherron Kundai
Kendall
CarolineVegetable Stir Fry with Egg Fried RiceEggplant Bamboo Shoots
Green TeaPot Sticker Dumplings303"Italian Escapade"Chengetai Ednos
Sue
DeevyaFresh Pasta with a sauceSalami Focaccia
Coffee GroundsZabaglione with Ladyfingers304"Food on the Flame"Carmen Tatenda G
Dylan
PamOpen Fire BreadBraai Pack Dry Spice Rub
PineappleGrilled Orange CupcakesROUND TWO: JUDGE'S MASTERCLASSEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsIdentification ChallengeTechnical ChallengeReplication Challenge305"Judge Steve's Beef Masterclass"Chengetai Tatenda N
Kundai
KendallFlavoured JelliesPrepare Beef FilletsBeef Tournedo with Fondant Butternut & Smoked Garlic Mash306"Judge Taf's Fish Masterclass"Cherron Tatenda G
Ednos
ColaUnusual Ingredients by SightScale & Fillet Whole FishKapenta Rubbed Bream Fillet on Irio & Orange Burnt Butter307"Judge Steve's Dessert Masterclass"Wilson Dylan
Carmen
SueBlindfoldedPrepare Sugar Work Chocolate Delice with Honeycomb & Sugar WorkROUND THREE: CLOSE TO HOMEEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsTechnical ChallengeInnovation ChallengeSet Recipe Challenge308"Zimbabwean Homecoming"Cherron Tatenda N
Dylan
KundaiSadza & RelishKapenta (Fresh & Dried) Maputi
Sweet PotatoMopani Worm (Madora) Quiche309"South African Soiree" Carmen Ednos
Wilson
Tatenda GBoereworsRusks Peach Chutney
Rooibos TeaBunny Chow310"Wildcard Battle"Kendall Cola
Sue
PamPatéTrio of Offal hors d'ourvesHumble PieROUND FOUR: SEMIFINALSEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsShopping ChallengeTechnical ChallengeInnovation Challenge311"Band of Braaiers"Cherron Wilson
Tatenda N
Kendall20 minutes & $75 to shop for ingredients at TM Pick n PaySignature Gourmet Vodka CocktailBraai Platter of at least 6 unique items312"Fine Dining Collective"Carmen Dylan
Ednos
Chengetai20 minutes & $75 to shop for ingredients at TM Pick n PaySignature Gourmet Vodka CocktailFine Dining Platter of at least 6 unique itemsROUND FIVE: FINALEpisode #Episode TitleContestantsStarterMainDessert313"Grand Finale"Dylan Carmen
Cherron
WilsonBouillabaisse Duck Salad with Plums
Sweet Potato Maple Bacon Soup
Rosemary Beef FilletBeef with Mushrooms & Carrot Butternut Puree Pasta Verde with Creamy Prawns
Chicken Curry with Banana Raita & Spiced Rice
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Assorted PureesBeetroot Sorbet Chocolate Tartlet with Coffee Mousse
Date Pudding
Mess in a Glass
Season 4 The show's fourth season began pre-production in 2018 - with auditions taking place in August. However, following the renewed economic crisis in Zimbabwe, production was put on hold indefinitely.
Judges Judging is done by consensus among a panel of experts selected from Zimbabwe's hospitality industry, the majority of whom are restaurant owners, consultants, and executive chefs with hospitality background and experience.
Judge Title Organisation Appearances Stephen Hyde Executive chef Emmanuel's Seasons 1-3 (26 episodes) Cherylyn Conlon Cooking instructor & restaurant consultant Seasons 1-3 (22 episodes) Innocent Masuku Executive chef & restaurant consultant Seasons 1-3 (20 episodes) Lincoln Myambo Consultant chef Seasons 1-3 (19 episodes)Tafadzwa AnifasiPrivate chefSeason 3 (7 episodes) Karl Eckard Chef & restaurant ownerThe Pariah State GroupSeasons 1-3 (6 episodes)Karen MutasaChef & restaurant ownerOrganikksSeason 3 (3 episodes)Carl Joshua Ncube ComedianCotton Country InnSeason 1 (2 episodes)Douglas CharekaExecutive chefBronte HotelSeason 1 (2 episodes)Joseph BungaExecutive ProducerArea 46 ProductionsSeasons 2-3 (2 episodes)Rumbie ShokoChef & founderZimbo KitchenSeason 3 (2 episodes) Lesley Orford Chef & restaurant owner Alo Alo Restaurant Season 1 (1 episode)Sebastian Benning Restaurant owner The Glass House Season 1 (1 episode)Tecla MapotaLegal practitionerGwaunza & MapotaSeason 1 (1 episode)Glenn StutchburyCEOCresta Hotel AfricaSeason 1 (1 episode)Emma Hacker Food service representativeSea Pride ZimbabweSeason 1 (1 episode)Roy LumsdenExecutive development chefMeikles AfricaSeason 1 (1 episode)Mario Da SilvaFood critic Season 1 (1 episode)Tawanda MuchineripiRestaurant ownerBelcantos Season 1 (1 episode)
Chefs' Competitions (off season/offline) The inaugural Chefs' Competition in association with Battle of the Chefs was held on 5 August 2017. The following chefs competed: NameOrganisationTinashe SibandaTowersLesley ChirembaAlo-AloRomeo S MandizhaDelhi PalaceLyoid KofiBronteWebster MupingoBronteJannet BandaOasisJessie ChivhungaCresta LodgePortia MurungweniCresta Lodge
A similar event was held featuring journalists in the Media Cook Off on 9 August 2017, hosted by season 3 finalist Cherron Harry.
See also Iron Chef
References