Sean Kent, winner of Nando’s Qatar’s internal heat, pose with the judges.
DOHA: Nando’s, the South African casual dining restaurant chain, famous for flame-grilled Peri-Peri chicken, will be flying its 2018 Griller’s Challenge winners to Australia, to represent Qatar at the Master Griller’s Challenge.
Sean Kent, 31-year-old from the Philippines from Salwa Road (the first Nando’s in Qatar) won the Nando’s Qatar’s internal heat and is all set to fly to represent Nando’s Qatar in Australia at The Global Master Grillers Challenge 2018.
Every year the best grillers from 23 countries compete to show off their skills and are judged on the characteristics that make Nando’s Peri-Peri Chicken unique. Marks are awarded for perfect flame grill marks, consistent skin coloring, cutting technique as well as tenderness, juiciness, temperature. Forks skills and Brand fitness are all the factors among a few more, that matters to win the battle.
Talking to The Peninsula before the competition, Sean said: “This competition is very important to me, not because I will win a title but I want to win this for Qatar. We were 47 when the competition started then we came down to 27 and now for the final round we are nine grillers competing to reach Australia and represent Qatar internationally. We are chosen to be the best grillers among all Nando’s grillers present in all Qatar branches. I am in it to win it, I have learnt a lot basically how to grill chicken and take care of safety measures as well. The most important thing I learnt during this journey was team work and proper technique to grill chicken in a perfect way. I am hoping to bring the title in Qatar.”
Qatar 2018 started with 29 Grillers, out of which nine successful contenders, grilled their way through the finals at Doha Rugby Club. Showing off the top-notch, tastiest flame-grilled skills to cook the perfect Chicken. The winner now will be going to Australia at the Master Grillers Challenge in October to represent Qatar and compete among the finalists from other Nando’s markets worldwide.
Before the finals, Chris Clark, COO, Nando’s Qatar, told The Peninsula: “Judging the best grillers is one of the most difficult duty to be done but I know the winner will fulfill the gold factor in the chicken. The griller should know how melt chicken in the customers mouth and has a perfect Peri-Peri flavor that’s the wow-factor.”
“Since 2012, Nando’s Master Grillers Challenge happens every year as a reminder that it is not about the chicken but the people who make it. Nando’s rewards its top grillers with a chance to compete amongst the best grillers in the Master Grillers challenge and ‘discover the world.’ The Griller’s Challenge motivates and encourages staff to compete in the spirit of courage, pride, passion, integrity and family. The challenge also provides the Nando’s employees with many opportunities to learn and grow professionally,” he added.
