With South Africa’s culinary heritage the theme of this year’s Galliova Food and Health Writers’ Awards, organisers have secured a high-calibre judging panel of foodie personalities who not only represent a cross-section of vibrant local cultures, but who also have first-hand experience of five-star food journalism.
Two of the judges are previous Galliova Award winners. This includes former True Love food editor and cook book author, Dorah Sitole, who received the Galliova Certificate of Merit in 1992 for outstanding achievement in food writing. Sitole will always be renowned for her exceptional knowledge of the continent’s rich culinary traditions.
The second previous Galliova Award winner on the judging panel is Anna Montali, the former food and deputy editor of Food & Home Entertaining. Montali received the Galliova Food Writer of the Year award in 2007 and has been further recognised for her efforts in the South African industry through several Caxton media awards, and the LG Home Chef in Dubai award.
Also on the panel is KwaZulu-Natal-based chef, tutor, writer and cook book author, Jackie Cameron. Born and raised in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Cameron is passionate about local, seasonal cuisine from the province. She is best known for her 12-year tenure as executive chef at the five-star boutique hotel, Hartford House.
Representing heritage food from the Cape is Hetta van Deventer-Terblanche, culinary manager at the well-known Pierneef a La Motte Restaurant on the La Motte Estate in Franschhoek. Van Deventer-Terblanche, who is also a judge on kykNET’s cooking and baking show open to both amateurs and professional chefs, Kokkedoor, is author of Cape Winelands Cuisine.
Judging the health writers’ awards will once again be Professor Marthinette Stretch (CPT), a registered dietician and professor at the University of Pretoria, and Madeleine de Villiers (CPT), a nutritional consultant and dietitian in private practice.
The Galliova Food and Health Writers’ Awards enters its 26th year this year. It features two main awards categories, Galliova Food Writer of the Year (magazines) and Galliova Food Writer of the Year (newspapers and weekly titles). There are four affiliate awards, namely Health Writer of the Year; Up and Coming Food Writer of the Year; Up and Coming Health Writer of the Year (new category in 2015); and the Galliova Egg Champion.
All South African food and health journalists are invited to enter and be a part of the Galliova Awards heritage of honouring food and health journalism excellence. The competition is now open, and all entries must be received by 4pm on Wednesday 9 September 2015.
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