Battle of the Chefs: Harare is a Zimbabwean reality competition television series which premiered on August 30, 2015 on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. The show features sixteen contestants competing across five rounds. It is open to both amateur and professional chefs.
Show format
Basic format
Battle of the Chefs is a cooking show that uses a progressive elimination format. From season 2 onwards, each season starts with sixteen contestants, with one chef eliminated in each episode until four finalists remain to battle for the title of Best Chef in Zimbabwe.
Each episode features three challenges designed to test the chefs' technique, creativity, and knowledge of food and flavour. The expert panel of three judges score the chefs' efforts during the episodes. In the end the chef with the highest score wins either an advantage or a prize; and the chef with the lowest score is stripped of their chef's jacket.
In the Technical Challenge the chefs are asked to produce their take on a basic dish. In the Innovation Challenge, they are given a basket containing three key ingredients they must use to create their most innovative dish. In the Set Recipe Challenge they are given a somewhat complex recipe to follow.
Variant formats
Season 1 of the show had sixteen teams,[1] each consisting of two individuals.[2] In each episode, a team of chefs is required to prepare three dishes: starter, main course and dessert.
In season 2 onwards the Judges Masterclass Round features an Identification Challenge where the chefs are expected to identify a number of mystery ingredients, as well as the Replication Challenge where the chefs must watch one of the judges give a recipe demo and then replicate it. In the Semifinal Round there is a Shopping Challenge, and the Innovation Challenge requires the chefs to produce a creative platter of multiple items. The finale requires the chefs to produce a signature three course menu.
Seasons
Season
Winner(s)
Runner(s)-up
Finalists
Air Dates
1
Tafadzwa Anifasi
Musodzi Mushonga
Ant Berens
Tony Attwell
N/A
August 30 - December 6, 2015
2
Leandrah Makaya
Jessica Vakos-England
Tinotenda Mutamba
Donovan Layton
April 10 - July 3, 2016
3
Dylan Taylor
Carmen Vlahakis
Cherron Harry
Wilson Jamesom
April 20 - July 13, 2017
Season 1 (2015)
Contestants
Episodes
Episode
Air Date
1
30 August 2015
2
6 September 2015
3
13 September 2015
4
20 September 2015
5
27 September 2015
6
4 October 2015
7
11 October 2015
8
18 October 2015
9
25 October 2015
10
1 November 2015
11
8 November 2015
12
15 November 2015
13
22 November 2015
14
29 November 2015
15
6 December 2015
Season 2 (2016)
Season 2 was shot in a custom built studio in Borrowdale - Harare.
Naming sponsor - TM Pick n Pay
Contestant Progress
Contestant
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Leandrah Makaya
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
Winner
Jessica Vakos-England
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
Runner-up
Tinotenda Mutamba
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
Eliminated
Donovan Layton
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
Eliminated
Sara Thompson
SAFE
ELIM
WIN
ELIM
David Lupenga*
SAFE
SAFE
ELIM
Fadzayi Mtuwa
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
ELIM
James Chareka
SAFE
SAFE
SAFE
ELIM
Dimitri Adamakos
SAFE
SAFE
ELIM
Zandi Mubi
SAFE
SAFE
ELIM
Charlene Chisvo
SAFE
ELIM
OUT
Tongai Zhou
SAFE
ELIM
Tinashe Sean Murove
ELIM
Rakesh Pokhriyal
ELIM
OUT
Ryan Maidwell
ELIM
OUT
Portia Makwamanzi
ELIM
Episodes
ROUND ONE: GLOBAL CUISINE
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Technical Challenge
Innovation Challenge
Set Recipe Challenge
201
"Mexican Fiesta"
David
James
Tinotenda
Portia
Tortilla Chips
with Salsa & Guacamole
Beef Mince
Corn on the Cob
Tequila
Molé Chicken Enchiladas
202
"Indian Adventure"
Donovan
Fadzayi
Sara
Ryan
Chilli Sauce
Mutton Chops
Chick Peas
Cream Cheese
Ras Malai
203
"Classic French"
Jessica
Dimitri
Leandrah
Rakesh
French Trim a Rack of Lamb
Rack of Lamb
Camembert Cheese
Sun Jam
Mille-Feuille
204
"Greek Games"
Charlene
Zandi
Tongai
Tinashe
Pita Bread Dough
Pita Bread Dough
Sardines
Capers
Baba Ganouch
Skordalia
Tzatziki
ROUND TWO: JUDGE'S MASTERCLASS
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Judge
Technical Challenge
Replication Challenge
205
"African Fusion Masterclass"
David
Leandrah
Fadzayi
Sara
Innocent Masuku
Debone Whole Rabbit
Rabbit Roulade
with Peanutbutter Sauce
206
"South East Asian Masterclass"
Donovan
James
Zandi
Tongai
Cherylyn Conlon
Knife Skills
Thai Green Prawn Curry
207
"Game Masterclass"
Jessica
Dimitri
Tinotenda
Charlene
Lincoln Myambo
Breakdown Guinea Fowl & Debone Thighs
Guinea Fowl Ballantine
with Parsnip-Pea Mash & Tarragon Sauce
ROUND THREE: CLOSE TO HOME
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Technical Challenge
Innovation Challenge
Set Recipe Challenge
208
"Contemporary Zimbabwean
James
Tinotenda
Jessica
Zandi
Marula Nut & Baobab Powder
Smoothie
Mopani Worms (Madora)
Mango
Rape
Pumpkin Leaf Ravioli
209
"Hunter Gatherer"
Leandrah
Donovan
Fadzayi
Dimitri
Go Fishing & Foraging
Whole Bream
Pecan Nuts
Fresh Herbs
Mini Salted Caramel Pecan Tarts
210
"Wildcard Battle"
Sara
Ryan
Charlene
Rakesh
Mayonnaise
Most Innovative Chicken Main Course
Chocolate Soufflé
ROUND FOUR: SEMIFINALS
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Shopping Challenge
Technical Challenge
Innovation Challenge
211
"Contemporary High Tea"
Jessica
Leandrah
Fadzayi
James
30 minutes & $100 to shop
for ingredients at TM Pick n Pay
Scones
High Tea Finger Food Platter
212
"Pub Grub"
Tinotenda
Donovan
Sara
David
30 minutes & $100 to shop
for ingredients at TM Pick n Pay
Sausages
Pub Grub Platter
ROUND FIVE: FINAL
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Starter
Main
Dessert
213
"Grand Finale"
Leandrah
Jessica
Tinotenda
Donnovan
Stuffed Pumpkin Leaf
Tian of Salmon Tartar
Pan Fried Tilapia with Spatzle
Sundried Tomato Tortelini
Fig & Hazelnut Pork Roulade with Potato Spiral
Poached Bream with Salmon Mousse & Beurre Blanc
Beef Fillet with Cabbage & a Red Wine Sauce
Herb Crusted Beef Fillet with Tangy Mushroom Sauce
Eton Mess
Chocolate Cheesecake Mousse
Vanilla Ravioli with Strawberry Broth
Decadent Choc Brownie
Season 3 (2017)
Season 3 was shot in a custom built studio in Msasa, Harare
Naming sponsor - TM Pick n Pay
Contestants
Contestant
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Dylan Taylor
LOW
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
Winner
Carmen Vlahakis
WIN
LOW
WIN
WIN
Runner-up
Cherron Harry
WIN
WIN
WIN
WIN
2nd Runner-up(s)
Wilson Jameson
HIGH
WIN
LOW
HIGH
2nd Runner-up(s)
Ednos Tavirima
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
ELIM
Chengetai Makawa*
WIN
WIN
ELIM
Tatenda Nyamande
WIN
HIGH
HIGH
ELIM
Kendall de Souza
LOW
ELIM
WIN
ELIM
Tatenda Gudu
HIGH
HIGH
ELIM
Kundai Muchanyuka
HIGH
LOW
ELIM
Sue Hodgson
LOW
ELIM
OUT
Nicola 'Cola' Kagoro
LOW
ELIM
OUT
Pam Taiirodza
ELIM
OUT
Deevya Lethwala
ELIM
Caroline Ruzario
ELIM
Amanda Mhundwa
ELIM
Episodes
ROUND ONE: GLOBAL CUISINE
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Technical Challenge
Innovation Challenge
Set Recipe Challenge
301
"Americana Extravaganza"
Tatenda N
Wilson
Cola
Amanda
Cheeseburger & Fries
Chicken Wings
Potato Chips
Cola
Mini Apple Pies
with Caramel Butternut Pastry Cream
302
"Chinese Festival"
Cherron
Kundai
Kendall
Caroline
Vegetable Stir Fry
with Egg Fried Rice
Eggplant
Bamboo Shoots
Green Tea
Pot Sticker Dumplings
303
"Italian Escapade"
Chengetai
Ednos
Sue
Deevya
Fresh Pasta
with a sauce
Salami
Focaccia
Coffee Grounds
Zabaglione
with Ladyfingers
304
"Food on the Flame"
Carmen
Tatenda G
Dylan
Pam
Open Fire Bread
Braai Pack
Dry Spice Rub
Pineapple
Grilled Orange Cupcakes
ROUND TWO: JUDGE'S MASTERCLASS
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Identification Challenge
Technical Challenge
Replication Challenge
305
"Judge Steve's Beef Masterclass"
Chengetai
Tatenda N
Kundai
Kendall
Flavoured Jellies
Prepare Beef Fillets
Beef Tournedo
with Fondant Butternut & Smoked Garlic Mash
306
"Judge Taf's Fish Masterclass"
Cherron
Tatenda G
Ednos
Cola
Unusual Ingredients by Sight
Scale & Fillet Whole Fish
Kapenta Rubbed Bream Fillet
on Irio & Orange Burnt Butter
307
"Judge Steve's Dessert Masterclass"
Wilson
Dylan
Carmen
Sue
Blindfolded
Prepare Sugar Work
Chocolate Delice
with Honeycomb & Sugar Work
ROUND THREE: CLOSE TO HOME
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Technical Challenge
Innovation Challenge
Set Recipe Challenge
308
"Zimbabwean Homecoming"
Cherron
Tatenda N
Dylan
Kundai
Sadza & Relish
Kapenta (Fresh & Dried)
Maputi
Sweet Potato
Mopani Worm (Madora) Quiche
309
"South African Soiree"
Carmen
Ednos
Wilson
Tatenda G
Boerewors
Rusks
Peach Chutney
Rooibos Tea
Bunny Chow
310
"Wildcard Battle"
Kendall
Cola
Sue
Pam
Paté
Trio of Offal hors d'ourves
Humble Pie
ROUND FOUR: SEMIFINALS
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Shopping Challenge
Technical Challenge
Innovation Challenge
311
"Band of Braaiers"
Cherron
Wilson
Tatenda N
Kendall
20 minutes & $75 to shop
for ingredients at TM Pick n Pay
Signature Gourmet Vodka Cocktail
Braai Platter of at least 6 unique items
312
"Fine Dining Collective"
Carmen
Dylan
Ednos
Chengetai
20 minutes & $75 to shop
for ingredients at TM Pick n Pay
Signature Gourmet Vodka Cocktail
Fine Dining Platter of at least 6 unique items
ROUND FIVE: FINAL
Episode #
Episode Title
Contestants
Starter
Main
Dessert
313
"Grand Finale"
Dylan
Carmen
Cherron
Wilson
Bouillabaisse
Duck Salad with Plums
Sweet Potato Maple Bacon Soup
Rosemary Beef Fillet
Beef with Mushrooms & Carrot Butternut Puree
Pasta Verde with Creamy Prawns
Chicken Curry with Banana Raita & Spiced Rice
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Assorted Purees
Beetroot Sorbet
Chocolate Tartlet with Coffee Mousse
Date Pudding
Mess in a Glass
Season 4
The show's fourth season began pre-production in 2018 - with auditions taking place in August. However, following the renewed economic crisis in Zimbabwe, production was put on hold indefinitely.
Judges
Judging is done by consensus among a panel of experts selected from Zimbabwe's hospitality industry, the majority of whom are restaurant owners, consultants, and executive chefs with hospitality background and experience.[3]