Durban home cooks shine at Fry’s third annual Top Chow Competition
Fry’s confirmed that the next Top Chow Competition will take place in August 2026.
The spirit of Durban’s kitchens took centre stage on Saturday, August 30, at Starwood Mall in Phoenix, with the third annual Fry’s Top Chow Competition. With East Coast Radio’s Deon Govender as MC, the event brought families together for a celebration of vegetarian flavour, creativity, and community.
The challenge was to cook with Fry’s Everyday Value Range and create a meal that could feed a family of four for R200 or less. The goal: to highlight the affordability and versatility of Fry’s, while inspiring creativity in the kitchen.
After three sizzling cook-offs, the following home cooks were announced as champions:
- Pranitha Singh from Isipingo won with her Tangy Sugar Bean Curry made with Fry’s Everyday Value Soya Mince. The dish was a hearty Durban classic, rich with sugar beans, tamarind and Kashmiri masala.
- Annie Lahldas from Tongaat impressed with her Chick’n in Date and Pumpkin Chutney, that layered Fry’s Everyday Value Chick’n Strips with a sweet and tangy homemade chutney and warm spices.
- Pam Pillay from Phoenix created a rich and flavourful No-Chicken Butter Chicken using Fry’s Everyday Value Chunky Strips. They were marinated in fragrant spices and yoghurt, then simmered in a velvety tomato, cream, and butter sauce.
Cheered on by an enthusiastic Durban audience, the three winners each took home R15, 000 in cash, and the three runners-up won R5, 000 each.
“Our Top Chow Competition was created to celebrate Durban’s rich food heritage and the home cooks who inspire with their creativity. Whether their meat-free cooking is for cultural, religious or health reasons, for over three decades, families have trusted Fry’s for affordable, tasty vegetarian meals. Top Chow is our way of honouring that legacy of community, loyalty, and shared flavour,” said Lily Vasic, brand manager for Fry’s.
Fry’s confirmed that the next Top Chow Competition will take place in August 2026.
“We can’t wait to see the creativity and passion again next year,” added Lily.
