MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge walked away with the top prize in the silver category of the annual Laborie Bush Banquet held in Hoedspruit on Saturday, April 24.

Competing against 12 other lodges, guesthouses and hotels, Shiluvari came out tops with its "Traditional Hip" menu, which incorporated local Venda pottery with Euro-African fusion cuisine.

Since its inception three years ago, the Bush Banquet has become the foremost Bush Cuisine competition. The banquet had 27 participating companies, including such luminaries as Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge and Singita Lebombo Lodge.

The judging of the competition was overseen by Dr Ivan May (member of the Chaine des Rotisseurs) with a panel of judges that included Lyndall Popper (food editor of the Star), Anna Montale (food critic with Food & Home magazine), Isabel Jones (consumer journalist), Lannice Snyman (editor of Eat Out), Hilary Prendini (Sawubona magazine) and Annette Kessler (food editor of Fair Lady).

Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge, competing for the first time, was awarded the first prize for "Best Food" in the silver category. Clare Wilkie Girardin and her colleagues Poppie Ramashia (executive chef) and Betty Hlungwani (food and beverage service) were ecstatic about their win.

"The win was not only for Shiluvari, but recognition for our unknown region in Limpopo as a whole".

Locals have the opportunity to sample this award-winning menu at Shiluvari for the month of May at a special price of only R75 per person.