Fire, Flavour and a New Champion: Huwitt Strydom Wins Capegate’s 2025 Braai Challenge
The flames were high and the competition fierce as Capegate Shopping Centre hosted the 2025 CG Braai Challenge, one of the Western Cape’s most anticipated community cook-offs.
After three sizzling rounds and a high-speed trolley dash, Huwitt Strydom claimed victory with his bold coffee-rubbed ribeye and red wine reduction, earning the coveted title of Capegate Braai Champion.
The Taste of Triumph
The annual event, now a signature feature on Capegate’s calendar, drew passionate food lovers and braai masters from across the region. Ten finalists battled it out under pressure in front of a live audience, judged by acclaimed chef Bertus Basson and 2024 champion Lindley Hendricks.
“The CG Braai Challenge brings South African food culture and community to life,” said Zoë Enslin, Marketing Manager at Capegate Shopping Centre. “There’s real heart behind every dish, and Huwitt’s creativity and confidence stood out.”
Strydom’s dish impressed the judges with its balance of flavours, perfectly cooked beef, and precision technique.
The Top Three Bring the Heat
The top three finalists showcased the diversity and flair of South African braai culture:
- 1st Place: Huwitt Strydom – Coffee-rubbed ribeye with red wine reduction
- 2nd Place: Chad Milne – Chops & Sausage Braai Fusion
- 3rd Place: Alvirno Coetzee – Lamb curry chops with potato salad
Milne’s innovative flavour pairing and Coetzee’s aromatic twist on a classic dish earned both strong praise from the judges and the crowd.
A Test of Skill, Speed and Spirit
The final round’s R800 trolley dash through Checkers tested contestants’ creativity and strategy, as they selected ingredients to craft their final dishes within two and a half hours.
Capegate’s Marketing Manager added that events like the Braai Challenge are about more than competition — they’re about community connection:
“Our goal has always been to create moments that matter. This event brings people together around a shared love of food, and that’s something worth celebrating.”
The Winner Takes It All
Strydom’s R30 000 prize bundle included:
- A luxury stay at Kol Kol Mountain Lodge
- A Weber braai
- Capegate and Checkers vouchers
- A premium meat hamper, and more.
A Community Tradition
Located in Cape Town’s northern suburbs, Capegate Shopping Centre continues to champion local talent and vibrant community engagement. With rising participation and growing excitement each year, the CG Braai Challenge has become a fixture on the local events calendar — and the fire for 2026 is already building.
