Whose shisa nyama is best?

Johannesburg - The battle for South Africa’s best shisa nyama chef will be decided tonight, when the winning restaurant is announced at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Soweto.

The winner will have the bragging rights to be called South Africa’s best shisa nyama chef and scoop prizes worth R500 000.

“It will be a close call with eight exceptional finalists in the running,” said renowned chef Benny Masekwameng, who is one of the judges.

“I’m looking for the one that really showcases their unique signature style and the quality of their menu offering. At the end of the day, what differentiates them from the competition.

“It’s the consumers at the event who will have the final say, so the finalists will need to bring their best,” he added.

Shisa nyama has been synonymous with the culture of Mzansi’s townships and it was not a surprise when big brands like Windhoek Beer decided to toy with the iconic name by staging a competition.

The top eight restaurants are Centurion Shisanyama, Vaal Monateng Café, E’Social Link Shisa Nyama & Car Wash, Meat Lounge in Sunninghill, Ivory Park-based Imbizo Shisanyama Busy Corner, Max’s Lifestyle in Umlazi, Eyadini Shisanyama in Umlazi and Rands Lifestyle Space in Khayelitsha.

The voting process has been ongoing over the past two months, during the elimination phase. South Africans have already nominated and voted for their favourite local shisa nyama guru on the Windhoek Beer website.

Masekwameng and his fellow judges have visited all participating shisa nyama bistros across the country and sampled their offering.

Windhoek Beer brand manager Lebo Xhola said because Masekwameng had many accolades under his belt, he was the perfect choice to lead the taste tour.

Guests invited to the announcement event will be entertained by DJ Elque, Ganyani, Samthing Soweto, Black Motion ft Nokwazi, Mo Flava and Fistaz Mixwell.