By Our Reporter
Foodies and whisky connoisseurs were treated to a sizzling culinary adventure as two incredibly talented meat masters competed for bragging rights at the much-anticipated 7th edition of the Chef Versus x Singleton series, held at Salama Springs, Bugolobi on Good Friday.
It was a refreshing change from the usual fine dining format. Instead of the typical gourmet fare, guests were treated to a celebration of meats, expertly prepared by Chef Nziza Rurangirwa of Pitmasters UG, and Chef Sam Muhumuza of the Meat Guy. The two are famous for their mastery of a mix of grilling, barbecuing, and slow pit cooking.
At the end of the night, Chef Sam, from Meat Guy, was crowned the winner, walking home with Shs 1m cash prize and a bottle of The Singleton 18 Year Old, after securing 105 votes. Chef Nziza, on the other hand, got 75 votes, and bagged Shs 500,000.
Sam, who loves to refer to himself as a ‘BBQ Enthusiast,’ rather than a chef, attributed his victory to his “deep love for fire and flavour.”
“I’m grateful to God for bringing us all here and for this opportunity. I’ve worked for many of you guys and I don’t take that for granted. This has been such a wonderful experience in my career. I’ve learnt from Nziza, I’ve positively taken feedback from many of you, but most importantly, I’m grateful for this victory!” said Chef Sam.
His win was even more special, considering the challenging format of the evening. Each of the 100 guests at the event sat down to a blind six-course meal, whereby each chef crafted and plated a unique three-course menu. Each chef prepped 300 plates for each course; the starter, the entree and the dessert.
Guests sampled the dishes without knowing who had prepared which, and later voted for the most delicious option; Team A or Team B. The reveal of the winning chef added an exciting twist to an already flavourful evening.
Chef Nziza, ever gracious, remarked, “it was an amazing experience. I was really happy to put forward something delicious, something different from what you typically get out there. Thank you all.”
Both chefs brought their A-game, truly showcasing what it means to be meat masters. It was an innovative and unforgettable celebration of flavour, fire, and finesse.
The Singleton Brand Manager- Christine Kyokunda, applauded both chefs for their unique culinary artistry display. She also presented Chef Sam with a cheque and a bottle of Singleton 15 years.
“Indeed, this was a Meat Masters Edition. It was such a breath of fresh air. Seeing guests enjoy and savour every bite, perfectly paired with The Singleton, is what we’re all about – creating meaningful, flavourful experiences. A huge congratulations to both chefs for elevating the barbecue game. And for all our Singleton lovers, stay tuned, we’ve got The Singleton 21-Year-Old making its way to the market very soon,” she said.
The entertainment was equally on point. DJ Anselm and the Double Black band, set the tone for the evening, with great, relatable music. Essie’s voice was as mesmerizing as ever, captivating the crowd, before DJ Kas Baby took over and lit up the after-party.