Sizzling new chef for Spekko Rice

Khaya Silingile has changed her MasterChef apron for that of Spekko Rice, to become the newest addition to Spekko’s bouquet of celebrity chefs.

Combining her traditional cooking heritage with a spark of new South African inspiration, Khaya is starring as the Spekko Chef in Soweto TV’s revived and new Kasi Kitchen series.

The series launces on 1 February and will feature a collection of 52 new recipes developed for Spekko by Khaya.

Community caterers and chefs is what Kasi Kitchen is all about – and in true spirit of the inspiring and rewarding home chefs and cooks who are making money from their skills, Spekko is also staging a Community Caterer of the Year competition.

The competition will flight on Soweto TV, be published in Move! Magazine and finalists will be introduced by Sunday Sun. Prizes include R50 000 in cash.

Khaya first came into the spotlight last year when she became one of the final top 6 contestants in the first South African MasterChef series. With no formal training, she describes herself as a “born cook” who learned the ropes at her “mother’s apron strings”.

Growing up in a small Eastern Cape village and later helping her grandmother in Gugulethu cater for small functions when she was a student in Cape Town, she has a sound insight into the roots of African inspired food. Now, a truly modern mother for her baby son Zion, Khaya is elated to be working with the brand.

“She will appeal to the Spekko consumer, is energetic and innovative and is perfect for the job” says brand manager Nwabisa Lukwe.

Chefs who are throwing their weight behind the Spekko brand – in February alone – include cookery legend Dorah Sitole who can be heard every Thursday from mid-February on the morning show on Umhlobo Wenene fm and Ntwenhle Mpanza, freelance food editor for Bona, who talks on Mondays on the Ukozi fm morning show.

Others include Deena Naidoo, MasterChef SA who writes the twice monthly Spekko Rice recipe page in The Post newspaper and Mokgadi Itsweng, True Love food editor who presents the new Spekko Rice “Legends” cooking program during her slot in Bob Mabena’s morning show on Kaya fm.

This is the third 26 episode series sponsored by Spekko in order to highlight and celebrate the work of community chefs and cooks. Kasi Kitchen is anchored by Sindi Mpahlwa,
and broadcasted on the free-to-air Soweto TV, and on DSTV 251, and can be viewed on Friday evenings at 6.15 pm. It is repeated on Saturdays at midday and again at 6.30 pm.

Khaya’s Spekko recipes can be found not only in Move! Magazine, but also on www.spekkorice.co.za, on Spekko’s facebook page and on www.spekkorice.mobi.

Look out for the stunning Pork cutlets stuffed with berries and rice and the Coconut and turmeric infused grilled chicken in episode 1.

On 8 February, the Valentine’s day Baked lamb shanks with figs and herbed rice, followed by a White chocolate rice pudding with Amarula infused pears, will feature on the menu.

This is yet another Spekko Rice project to create awareness of Spekko’s Quality, Taste and Yield, and another way for the brand to move closer to the heart of the community.