The rivalry between Nando’s Australia and Nando’s South Africa has been quietly playing out over the last few years in the shadow of the two countries’ more well-documented sporting contests.
The competition decides who can flame grill the best peri-peri chicken and this year it was South Africa who took top honours.
“Nando’s prides itself on the unique taste and uncompromised quality of its chicken,” says Mike Cathie, Chief Marketing Officer of Nando’s Southern Africa, “and we have always encouraged our grillers to make the best flame-grilled peri-peri chicken in the world.”
The event originally began as an internal competition, with the various national regions competing against one another for the title of “Master Griller”.
Then in 2011, Australia then challenged the rest of the Nando’s world to an international griller’s challenge. The first competition took place between Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Malaysia and, of course, being the home of Nando’s flame-grilled peri-peri chicken, South Africa won.
In 2012, South Africa were the hosts of the competition, which had expanded to include 15 countries, with 33 grillers and 12 international support staff vying for the title over five days. Sadly, despite having the home advantage, South Africa lost the title to Australia. Let’s just say this added more than a little peri-peri to the fire!
The competition returned to Australia this year and the hopes of Nando’s South African were pinned on Siphamandla Shabalala, Mthandeni Shabalala, Mzwandile Mbiko and Petro Mabena.
After a fun week of activities, including a traditional Australian barbeque, beach volleyball competition and a climb up Sydney Harbour Bridge, Siphamandla Shabalala returned the title to South Africa.
“Nando’s South Africa is the home of the world-wide Nando’s phenomenon,” says Cathie, “We were determined to regain the title – and we have done so whilst having lots of fun.”
Second and third places were taken by Malaysia and the UK, leaving Australia feeling sheepish.