KZN chef Zubaida Ebrahim takes top honours as Chef of the Year whilst suppliers showcase industry-leading solutions at annual chef’s competition and supplier showcase event.
Empact Group‘s flagship culinary event, Gourmet Fest 2025, brought together the finest chefs from across the company’s nationwide network to compete for prestigious titles whilst celebrating the vital role of women in South Africa’s culinary industry. With a sharp focus on growth, collaboration and creativity, this year’s event delivered a dynamic showcase of skill, innovation and pride within the foodservice industry.
Gourmet Fest is Empact Group’s flagship food event, driven by its foodservice division, Food by Empact. The event featured two core elements: the Chef’s and Barista Competition, and the Supplier Showcase, where more than 47 suppliers presented top-tier solutions used across Empact’s national operations in healthcare, education, industry and corporate sectors.
Team Format Debuts as Women in Culinary Take Centre Stage
This year’s Chef’s Competition introduced a new team format for the first time in the event’s history, operating under the inspiring theme “Women & Growth in Culinary”. The competition emphasised leadership, creativity and culinary excellence whilst championing gender diversity within the industry.
Zubaida Ebrahim from KZN emerged as the standout performer, claiming the coveted Chef of the Year title and taking home a professional knife set worth R20,000 along with a R20,000 cash prize. Last year’s champion, Lazarus Shirinda from Avbob Irene Link, secured second place, whilst Zakiyya Joel from Sanlam Cape rounded out the top three.
The team competition saw fierce rivalry between seven finalist teams, with Empact Regional Offices KZN claiming the Team of the Year award. Mercedes-Benz East London and Avbob JHB secured third and second place respectively.
In the Barista category, Sinovuyo Funindawa from Sanlam Western Cape was crowned Barista of the Year, defeating runner-up Makeso from Avbob in the final.
“Do Right By You” Philosophy in Action
“The calibre of talent we witnessed at Gourmet Fest 2025 was truly exceptional,” said Hanno de Lange, General Manager of Empact’s Centre of Excellence. “This competition reflects our commitment to developing our people and recognising the incredible skills within our organisation. The introduction of the team format has created new opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, which aligns perfectly with our ‘Do right by you’ philosophy.”
The competition received hundreds of entries from Food by Empact sites across the country, with participants representing diverse sectors including healthcare, education, industry and commerce.
Annamie Lambrects, Project Manager at Empact’s Sanlam site in Cape Town, praised the event’s focus on professional development: “Gourmet Fest exemplifies how we invest in our team’s growth and create platforms for recognition. Seeing our chefs push creative boundaries whilst supporting one another’s development is exactly what our values represent. This competition has become a cornerstone of our commitment to excellence.”
Supplier Showcase Strengthens Service Excellence
The Supplier Showcase provided Empact employees with direct access to industry partners, allowing them to engage with the latest products and innovations that enhance service delivery across the company’s extensive network. The interactive format enabled staff to experience firsthand the quality solutions that clients encounter daily.
Recognising Talent, Raising Standards
Empact Group’s foodservice division, Food by Empact, operates across multiple sectors, delivering comprehensive catering and hospitality services. The company’s commitment to staff development, health and wellness, and gender diversity forms the foundation of its operational approach.
The success of Gourmet Fest 2025 reinforces Empact’s position as an industry leader in recognising talent, promoting professional growth and maintaining the highest standards of culinary excellence across its operations.