Nineteen women from all corners of Mzansi were honoured for their contribution to the food and hospitality sector at the FOOD XX Awards in Cape Town on Tuesday, 30 August 2022.
The annual awards launched by Studio H in 2019, is aimed at spotlighting the achievements of women in all spheres of the food and hospitality industry. This is from farming to food styling, education, culinary heritage and more, explains Hannerie Visser, the director and founder of Studio H.
“It really reinforced our belief that women are the backbone of the food and hospitality industry. And now, more than ever, we need to take the time to recognise and honour their work,” says Visser.
“We are delighted to showcase the work of such phenomenal women, each one a leader in their respective field. With the FOOD XX Awards we aim to share their accomplishments with the world, and at the same time create a space where women from all walks of life can feel inspired and supported.”
This year’s judging panel included, among others, Mokgadi Itsweng, Bathandwa Nkambule, Loubie Rusch, Mmabatho Molefe, Dr Tracy Nelwamondo and Carla Schulze.
Bringing Africa to the table
The winners of the 2022 FOOD XX Awards were announced at a breakfast event, in partnership with Spekko Rice, at Makers Landing at the V & A Waterfront.
At the ceremony Visser announced that the geographical scope of the awards would be extended to women beyond South African borders in 2023. “We understand that national boundaries can create distracting division among a community of women with common challenges and interests,” she explains.
“We’ve expanded the FOOD XX vision to reflect our commitment to women working with food across the continent.”
Studio H Founder, Hannerie Visser
To mark this, she presented the newly minted Continental Connections award to Ghanaian chef Selassi Atadika. Atadika is the chef patronne at the Accra-based Midunu. Atadika is also ranked as one of the top 100 chefs globally and is on a mission to demystify, celebrate and preserve culinary heritages.
The rest of the 2022 FOOD XX Award winners includes:
Food anthropologist and journalist Dr Anna Trapido was announced the winner of the Fresh Voice award at the FOOD XX awards hosted by Studio H. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Food photographer Ashleigh Frans bagged the FOOD XX Award in the category for food photography. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
In the FOOD XX Farming category Sibongile Gumede was announced as the 2022 winner of the prize. Photo:Supplied/Food For Mzansi 
The 2022 Baker is Elmarie Rosochacki. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Cookbook author and food commentator Errieda Du Toit was announced as the 2022 Food Icon at the FOOD XX Awards. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Founder of the Nosh Food Rescue NPC, Hanneke van Linge won the award in the category Giving Back at the 2022 FOOD XX Awards. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Co-owner of the Olive Branch Deli, Helénè Demetriou won the Front of the house award at the 2022 FOOD XX Awards. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
In the 2022 FOOD XX Award category for Food Education, Jenny Ward chef and culinary lead of the Makers Landing Incubator Programme was announced the winner. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Chef Jess van Dyk chef-owner of Stellenbosch restaurant Post & Pepper won the In The Kitchen award at the FOOD XX Awards. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Khanya Mncwabe is the founder of Matawi Mead and walked away with 2022 FOOD XX Award in the category for alcoholic drinks. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Food stylist Khanya Mzongwana is the deputy editor of Woolworths TASTE. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Meghan Werner is the founder of Theonista and won the award in the non-alcoholic drinks category of the 2022 FOOD XX Awards. Photo:Daniela Zondagh/ Studio H 
Nabo Binase bagged the 2022 Newcomer award at the FOOD XX Awards. Binase is a celebrator of African food culture and Ukutya co-founder. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Cookbook author and food activist Parusha Naidoo recived the Nando’s Food Heritage Award. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Samkelesiwe Chunda is the winner of the FOOD XX Sustainability Award. Chunda is the managing director of Sibayeni Metrofarming. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Tasneem Karodia is the co-founder of the Mzansi Meat Co. She was announced the winner of the Future of Food award at the FOOD XX Awards. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Wendy Vesela-Ntimbani is the founder of Matomani, a company that uses mopani worms to produce a range of sustainable food products. She scooped up the entrepreneur award at the FOOD XX awards. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studio H 
Recioe developer and the queen on Sorghum Zandile Finxa walked away with the FOOD XX award for Secret Ingredient. Photo: Daniela Zondagh/Studi H
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