Heritage Day would be incomplete without a braai and thanks to recently-crowned “Boerewors King” of South Africa, Vikash Bachu, Championship Boerewors will once again grace South African grills with a new winning recipe.
Bachu’s recipe was chosen as South Africa’s No.1 boerewors recipe following extensive taste testing by judges from the South African Chefs’ Association. The Ladysmith Herald joined Bachu recently at his home and according to his wife, Carina, the Boerewors King can also make a delicious mutton curry. “We are so proud of him and know that the hard work that had been put in, all 13 times of it, has finally paid off,” said Carina Bachu.
The father of four said it took him 13 attempts and being placed second or third in the province each time, but when he made it to the finals it felt like a dream and he could not believe it, especially when he was announced as the winner.
Bachu, who is the Shoprite Regional Meat Market Manager, told The Ladysmith Herald that this was a life-changing event for him. “To think that everyone in South Africa will be preparing my winning boerewors…” smiled Bachu.
Known in the Ladysmith community as being the “best in the boerewors business”, Bachu was completely over the moon when his recipe won. “Even before he was announced the winner, everyone – family and close friends – would talk about his recipes and preparing boerewors for the braai,” said Carina.
Bachu said that he gained a lot of knowledge and experience from Ashook Beharie. “My work experience, working at local butcheries such as RS Butchery and Percy at a young age and then starting off my career at Shoprite, had paved the way to getting to know my meats and preparing the correct spices to make my own boerewors,” said Bachu.
He further explained that this year, with the Covid-19 pandemic, things were done a little differently. “Spices were measured and correctly calculated before sealing and sending it off,” he said; adding that professional chefs had contacted him via Zoom and this is how they worked together to mix and prepare the wors.
Bachu is not only South Africa’s 2021 boerewors champion but also the winner of a brand-new Toyota Fortuner 2.4 GD6 RB AT and said that it is still unreal to think that so many people will be enjoying his recipe-winning boerewors, which will be available in Shoprite and Checkers stores from Friday, 10 September.
