Of the five competitors, four were selected for their reputations and contribution to the industry, and all have a minimum of five years' experience. The fifth competitor achieves a place in the competition by virtue of having won the Senior category of the Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year in the previous year.
On the day of the competition, the chefs are each given a mystery basket with access to a communal table of ingredients. Once they have decided on their starter, main course and dessert menu, the cook-off begins.
This year's judges include Stephen Billingham, SACA President and principal of HTA Culinary School; Nicholas Froneman, Southern Sun Elangeni; James Khoza, Sandton Sun Hotel and Sandton Convention Centre; Allister Essau, BOSASA; and Bradley Kavanaugh, Kitchen Judge from Unilever Food Solutions.
The winner will be announced at a gala awards ceremony and banquet on the evening of the day of the competition, following the judges' deliberation.