Events

Elangeni & Maharani’s junior chefs turn up the heat in the kitchen

Published

11 years ago

8 June 2015

Durbanite

The gloves are off in the kitchens at Durban’s Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani complex as the hotels young talent dish out their culinary skills in a cook off that is set to be the recipe for a delectable taste sensation.
Guests at Sky Venue will get the opportunity to dine on the Elangeni & Maharani’s finest culinary offerings on 30 May 2015 – the first of a monthly event, which is the culmination of an internal competition which will see junior chefs go head to head in a showdown to claim kitchen supremacy and serve their winning cuisine to diners.
The competition will provide the chefs with a platform to put their culinary skills to the test by creating their own three course meal using their favourite ingredients and flavours.
“Spirits are high in our kitchens as our junior chefs compete against their colleagues for a chance to wine and dine guests at Sky. We are delighted to afford our chefs the opportunity to explore their common passion for food by pushing the culinary boundaries. We at Southern Sun’s Elangeni & Maharani complex believe that creativity is airborne and has spawned young and inspiring talent in our kitchens” says Executive Chef Shaun Munro.
The line up for the first showcase of “Dine with our Stars” includes Kimberly Pillay, Philani Malunga (Kimberly’s assistant) and Mduduzi Shabangu.
Leading the team is Pillay – the newly appointed Commis Pastry Chef with a great love for food and pastry. As a young and vibrant chef she prides herself on bringing joy to others through her creative and interesting cuisine.
Mduduzi Shabangu, the assistant restaurant manager and wine steward at the Southern Sun Elangeni and Maharani’s Grill Jichana, will complement Pillay’s dishes with a fine sparkling wine selection from the Pongracz range.

“Being surrounded by such outstanding talent has prompted us to create this new monthly event at Sky to showcase our great line-up of chefs. Through this concept we aim to improve productivity and ensure the highest levels of quality in our kitchens by urging all our junior chefs to participate and explore their culinary expertise and to diversify our offering to the public,” said Samantha Croft, GM Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Complex.
The internal competition also gives the chefs an opportunity to sharpen their culinary flairs ahead of the Cape legends Inter Hotel Challenge- an annual competition in which chefs and wine stewards from leading hotels across the country compete in a food and wine pairing challenge.
As many as twenty five hotels participate in this challenge. The first leg is a regional competition where the qualifiers go on to compete nationally in the final, which takes place in Cape Town.
After participating as an assistant chef in the competition last year, Pillay will this year compete as the candidate chef representing the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani hotel.
“Participation in last year’s the Cape legends Inter Hotel Challenge was the most wonderful experience for our team – the excitement of this competition rippled throughout the kitchen resulting in fantastic teamwork and support for our candidates who in turn did the team and themselves extremely proud. It almost created fast tracked recognition and career growth opportunities for the respective candidates. We look forward to participating again this year – ready steady, cook!” says Munro.

To book a seat contact Garika Ramdarie

T: 031 362 1300 or e-mail: Garika.Ramdarie@tsogosun.com

Cost: R280 per person.

Author: Durbanite

Related Topics:Elangeni & Maharani Elangeni & Maharani complex Executive Chef Shaun Munro Shaun Munro.Sky Venue Southern Sun

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Entertainment

BUMP & GRIND at Talloula

Published

5 days ago

13 January 2026

Carla Wynne

Durban comedy favourites Aaron McIlroy and Lisa Bobbert-McIlroy return to Talloula with their new musical comedy – BUMP & GRIND, a high-energy musical sketch comedy that delivers a riotous mix of song, dance, quick-fire character comedy and heart. Created under the direction and choreography of Daisy Spencer, the show has already delighted audiences this festive season with its trademark MacBob mayhem and polish.

Described by Billy Suter as “a sparkly cracker of song, dance and off-the-wall humour,” BUMP & GRIND is a fast-paced, laugh-out-loud theatrical experience. The show tumbles through a helter-skelter parade of characters — from fan favourites Bruce and Charmaine, as Elvis impersonators, pensioners Beatrice and Max, and super-sage Dr Veejay, to bold new creations including AI androids, Latin dance sensations and an Irish preacher with stand-up ambitions.

The music includes numbers from Talking Heads, Lady Gaga, Elvis, The Beatles, Whitney Houston and a climactic medley of ’80s chart hits.

“It’s a vibe… Aaron and Lisa’s talent and skill lie in their seemingly effortless transformations from one character to another — and making every dance hit and ballad that character’s own!” Shannon Kenny (ArtSmart)

With broad family appeal, high energy and a proven track record of sold-out runs, don’t miss BUMP & GRIND at Talloula at the end of January!

Duration of Show: 2 Acts of 40 minutes each with a 20 minute interval
Food and Drink on sale at the venue.
Full bar available
Picnic baskets welcome

Venue: Talloula, Bothas Hill
Dates: Friday 30 Jan & Saturday 31 Jan – 7pm (doors open 6pm) | Sunday 1 Feb 2026 – 2pm (doors open 12.30pm)
Tickets: R220pp
Bookings: Webtickets or Rowena on 082 304 6495 (for meal options and orders)

Author: Carla Wynne

Just a 30something plant mom, nature enthusiast and happy wife, adventuring through Durbs and life!🌻🌿🤍✨

Events

Summerdaze NYE 2025

Published

4 weeks ago

22 December 2025

mrjoelmagic

Safari Disco Theme for This Year’s Summerdaze NYE Beach Party!

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, 31 December 2025 (New Year’s Eve)
Venue: Beachwood Beach, Durban North
Time: From 4pm until late
Age Restriction: Strictly over 18
Tickets: utickets.app/events/summerdaze

GA Phase 1: R250 (Limited)
GA Early Bird: SOLD OUT

VVIP Ocean View Deck: R2200
Limited to 200 tickets

VVIP includes:
~ Access to the Ocean View VIP Deck
~ Unlimited free beer, wine, ciders, house spirits & mixers (shooters excluded)
~ Complimentary bubbly during the midnight countdown
~ Private fully stocked bar
~ VIP cocktail seating
~ Snack platters served hourly

Line-Up

Tim Lewis x Matt Davies
Craig Rude
Mat OD
Jay Jabbs
Kritik
Ty Stoltz
JDV

What to Expect

NYE Summerdaze returns to Beachwood Beach for another end-of-year blowout, and if past editions are anything to go by, this one will sell out fast. Set right on the shoreline in Durban North, the event combines top-tier local DJs, a large-scale production setup and the unbeatable energy of a New Year’s Eve beach crowd.

Expect SA’s leading DJs and artists soundtracking the sunset and carrying the party straight through to midnight and beyond. The venue setup includes over 2000m² of tenting, multiple bars spread across the site, a dedicated food court and plenty of seating for when your legs need a break but the music refuses to.

For those looking to level things up, the VVIP Ocean View Deck offers a premium NYE experience with uninterrupted views, all-inclusive drinks, exclusive seating and a private bar — the kind of setup that makes waiting for midnight feel effortless.

Tickets are limited and have sold out every year, so booking early is strongly advised. If you’re planning to welcome the new year with your feet in the sand, good music in the air and Durban doing what Durban does best, this is where you want to be.

See you on the beach.

Entertainment

Secret Sunset at Westown Square

Published

2 months ago

1 December 2025

Shelley

Get ready for an experience like no other! Secret Sunset is coming to Westown Square on 13 December at 5PM, and you’re invited to join us for an evening filled with movement, music, and pure golden-hour magic.

This immersive guided dance session is all about joy, connection, and feel-good energy—and it’s suitable for all ages. Whether you’re coming with friends, family, or flying solo, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the festive season.

Event Details

Date: 13 December 2025
Time: 5PM
Venue: Westown Square, The Bowl, On The Lawn
Entrance Fee: Kids: R75 | Adults: R120

Important

LIMITED PRE-ENTRIES ONLY
No tickets will be sold at the door, so make sure you
book early to secure your spot!

BOOK HERE