The much anticipated 2016 Stokvel Cooking Challenge finals are happening on the 4^th of June at Food Town Hyper in Rustenburg from 9:00. The country has seen the best stokvels across South Africa cook their way to the last round of this exciting competition.

The teams in the final – Love Thy Neighbour Women’s Club, Masisizane Club, Reiteretse Stokvel and S’nako Stokvel – have put themselves on top by winning the semi-finals in their respective regions. These stokvel groups will now compete head-to-head in the final event where they will compete to win their share of the R50 000 cash prize, provided by White Star Maize Meal and Royco®.

“It has been a wonderful journey and we are so proud of the finalists who have been chosen to participate in this ultimate challenge,” said White Star Marketing Manager, Mokhele Makhothi. “All the competing stokvels make a difference in their communities, proving that by coming together and working as one, they can achieve a great deal.”

Renowned judges Lucia Mthiyane – singer, actress and White Star celebrity chef – and Siphokazi Mdlankomo – 2014 MasterChef SA runner-up – had to make tough decisions in choosing the finalists. Now the four successful teams will have to put their best spoons forward in preparing the most creative and tasty dishes using White Star Maize Meal and Royco®.

The stokvel teams’ stories began when they submitted a recipe of their choice, photographs of their stokvels along with a motivation letter, showing why they should partake in the Stokvel Cooking Challenge. From over 600 entries, 12 teams were chosen to compete in the semi-finals, with these four top stokvels coming out on top to represent their respective South African region:

Love Thy Neighbour Women’s Club – Gauteng - Soweto

Masisizane Club – Kwa-Zulu Natal - Umlazi

Reiteretse Stokvel – Pretoria - Centurion

S’nako Stokvel – Eastern Cape - Umtata

““It has been a wonderful journey and we are so proud of the finalists who have been chosen to participate in this ultimate challenge, all the competing stokvels make a difference in their communities, proving that by coming together and working as one, they can achieve a great deal,” said Lucia Mthiyane, “the semi-finals were outstanding; the competition was tight and the dishes were impressive. I’m expecting even more from the finals.”

“I’m looking for a team who are creative and can think outside of the box, a team that knows how to create flavor in their dishes and have beautiful presentation and plating skills,” added Siphokazi Mdlankomo. “All stokvels have proven that they can create tasty and delicious dishes. The finals will push their efforts even harder and I’m excited to see the outcome,”

Come and support these stokvels as they put their cooking skills to the ultimate test at the final of the 2016 Stokvel Cooking Challenge at Food Town Hyper in Rustenburg. The event starts at 09:00 and there will be plenty of entertainment along with opportunities for the crowd to win big with trolley dash competitions, lucky draws and much more.

Follow the competition on the White Star Super Maize Meal Facebook page.