Foodies and whisky connoisseurs were treated to a sizzling culinary adventure, as two incredibly talented meat masters competed for bragging rights, at the much-anticipated 7th edition of the Chef Versus x Singleton series, held at Salama Springs, Bugolobi- yesterday (Good Friday).
It was a refreshing change from the usual fine dining format.
Instead of the typical gourmet fare, guests were treated to a celebration of meats, expertly prepared by Chef Nziza Rurangirwa of Pitmasters UG, and Chef Sam Muhumuza of the Meat Guy.
The two are famous for their mastery of a mix of grilling, barbecuing, and slow pit cooking.At the end of the night, Chef Sam, from Meat Guy, was crowned the winner, walking home with Shs 1m cash prize and a bottle of The Singleton 18 Year Old, after securing 105 votes.
Chef Nziza, on the other hand, got 75 votes, and bagged Shs 500,000.
Sam, who loves to refer to himself as a ‘BBQ Enthusiast,’ rather than a chef, attributed his victory to his “deep love for fire and flavour.”
“I’m grateful to God for bringing us all here and for this opportunity. I’ve worked for many of you guys and I don’t take that for granted. This has been such a wonderful experience in my career. I’ve learnt from Nziza, I’ve positively taken feedback from many of you, but most importantly, I’m grateful for this victory!” said Chef Sam.
His win was even more special, considering the challenging format of the evening.
Each of the 100 guests at the event sat down to a blind six-course meal, whereby each chef crafted and plated a unique three-course menu.
Simply put, each chef essentially prepped 300 plates for each course; the starter, the entree and the dessert.
Guests sampled the dishes without knowing who had prepared which, and later voted for the most delicious option; Team A or Team B.
The reveal of the winning chef added an exciting twist to an already flavourful evening.
Chef Nziza, ever gracious as he remarked; “It was an amazing experience. I was really happy to put forward something delicious, something different from what you typically get out there. Thank you all.”
Both chefs brought their A-game, truly showcasing what it means to be meat masters. It was an innovative and unforgettable celebration of flavour, fire, and finesse.
The Singleton Brand Manager- Christine Kyokunda, applauded both chefs for their unique culinary artistry display.
She also presented Chef Sam with a cheque and a bottle of Singleton 15 years.
“Indeed, this was a Meat Masters Edition. It was such a breath of fresh air. Seeing guests enjoy and savour every bite, perfectly paired with The Singleton, is what we’re all about – creating meaningful, flavourful experiences. A huge congratulations to both chefs for elevating the barbecue game. And for all our Singleton lovers, stay tuned, we’ve got The Singleton 21-Year-Old making its way to the market very soon,” she said.
The entertainment was equally on point. DJ Anselm and the Double Black band, set the tone for the evening, with great, relatable music.
Essie’s voice was as mesmerizing as ever, captivating the crowd, before DJ Kas Baby took over and lit up the after-party.
Profiles of the two chefs:
Chef Nziza of Pitmasters UG
The Soulful Flame Whisperer For Chef Nziza, the founder of Pitmasters UG, food is more than sustenance, its memory, emotion, and storytelling on a plate.
His journey into the culinary world began at 18, inspired by warm kitchen memories with his mother and a longing to recreate the sense of “home” in new communities.
Since launching Pitmasters in 2018, an online catering and delivery service, Nziza has grown from backyard BBQ enthusiast to a respected culinary entrepreneur, known for his unique take on Ugandan traditional smoking techniques.
For this challenge, he was leaning onto his roots, infusing Singleton into dishes that spotlight Uganda’s deep heritage of smoking meats and roasting vegetables.
He showcased the whisky notes with smoky, earthy undertones for a sensory experience like no other. “Every dish is special,” he said prior to the showdown.
Chef Sam of Meat Guy
Chef Sam Muhumuza, is the charismatic force behind Meat Guy, a BBQ brand located in Industrial Area, that has steadily become a household name among Kampala’s meat lovers.
He shies away from the “chef” title, calling himself a BBQ enthusiast with a deep love for fire, flavour, and pushing boundaries.
From humble beginnings with Sam’s Takeout and Sam’s Burgers to building the Meat Guy brand, Sam’s focus has always been simple: better food, better flavour, better meat.
He boasts five years of professional experience, and ten more on the side, and he confirmed that he is no stranger to innovation.
For Singleton’s Chef Versus, he’s embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. “Sweet honey, vanilla, soft fruit, toasted oak, that’s a four-course flavour meal if you ask me. So, expect bold pairings, rich textures, and a journey for the palate, our guests are in for a night of culinary theatre” he joked prior to the showdown.