We’re excited to share that our talented chef, Shannon Talbot-Bennett, has been shortlisted for the prestigious StrEATfood Awards 2025 for her standout dish, Next Level Bunny Chow.
Organised by Contract Catering Magazine, the StrEATfood Awards celebrate the UK’s most innovative street food chefs in workplace and event catering. This year, the final will take place on 7 October at Big Penny Social, London, where 16 finalists will compete in two live challenges. First, they showcase their signature dishes in front of expert judges, followed by a technical round featuring surprise ingredients revealed on the day.
Shannon’s nomination highlights her exceptional culinary creativity, skill, and dedication to storytelling through food. Reflecting on this achievement, she said:
I’m honoured to be nominated for the StrEATfood Awards. This recognition motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and celebrating the bold flavours and stories behind every dish, including my South African bunny chow. Being born and raised in South Africa, this dish holds a close place to my heart, and my South African heritage is the inspiration behind it.
Bunny chow, a vibrant street food dish traditionally served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread and filled with spicy curry, showcases Shannon’s dedication to bringing authentic, culturally rich flavours to the workplace dining experience.
This nomination continues a strong tradition of success for OCS at the StrEATfood Awards. In 2024, our chefs impressed judges with bold, globally inspired dishes, earning recognition for creativity and excellence. The year before, Angel Hill Food Co. chef Matt Chapman was named StrEATfood Chef of the Year 2023 for his outstanding culinary performance. These achievements reflect the passion and innovation our chefs bring to every dish.
We extend our warmest congratulations to Shannon on this remarkable achievement and wish her the very best in the final. The entire team is cheering her on.
