When his wife told him that she had entered him for a potjiekos competition and that “people would phone him,” he had no idea what was in store for him. He certainly did not even expect in his wildest dreams that he would end up winning the entire competition.
Logan Draghoender, a 39-year-old mechanic from Missionvale in Nelson Mandela Bay, recently walked away with the coveted title of PE Express’s first ever potjiekos master.
Draghoender’s tasty kudu potjiekos wowed the three judges and they couldn’t get enough of the creamy sauce and tender meat.
“That is probably as a result of the amazi,” Draghoender said with a smile. “It gives the pot a ‘lekker’ taste and also makes it creamy.”
One of the judges, radio presenter and DJ, Jacques Arendt, said that Draghoender’s potjiekos was extremely tasty.
According to local entertainer and comedian, Francois Scholtz, who was also a judge, his stomach had never celebrated such a great birthday on a Tuesday after his debit orders had gone off.
The third judge, professional chef, Lu-Ann Moffett, said, “It was exceptionally tasty with just enough salt. I didn’t feel the need to add anything to it.”
Draghoender said that although his potjiekos did all the talking in the competition, it is actually the help and motivation from his wife, Jo-Ann, who sealed the win for him.
“I wasn’t planning on entering; it was all her idea. She just told me that she had entered on my behalf and that people would call me. She also said that she had entered the kudu recipe,” he said with a laugh.
RECIPE | Potjie Master Logan’s Brown Gravy Kudu Potjie
The couple ensure to at least make potjiekos twice a week and it differs from red meat to chicken and sometimes game.
“We have a veranda at the front and side of the house so the weather doesn’t stop us from making a pot.
“I don’t like it when my wife has to stand around in the kitchen when I can just make a fire and potjiekos.”
@expressnewspapers @realjanbraai wens die ‘PE Express’ se eerste Potjiemeester-wenner geluk met sy oorwinning – net betyds vir #braaidag ? original sound – Express Newspapers
When asked how he felt after being announced as the winner, he answered, “Well, you saw how I jumped in the air when I heard my name! I didn’t expect it but it was wonderful.”
According to Draghoender, he and Jo-Ann worked out the recipe by themselves by using different ingredients here and there on a trial-and-error basis to form the perfect recipe.
“We use our own spice mix that we came up with and mixed together ourselves for all our different pots.
“It was only the second time that I made this recipe and it actually won.
“The huge variety of prizes that I won also doesn’t hurt at all,” he said proudly.
His advice to other potjiekos lovers is to cook the meat in vinegar first to ensure that it becomes tender.
“You should also never rush your pot and cook too fast. Even if it takes you an hour longer, let the potjiekos cook slowly on a medium-sized fire.
“It is definitely worth it,” he said.
