\JUBILANT scenes unfolded at Nando’s Avondale in Harare this week as song and dance erupted following the crowning of Victor Godo as Zimbabwe’s top griller, earning him a coveted place on the global stage at the Nando’s International Grillers’ Challenge set for Perth, Australia.
The high-energy competition brought together 15 grillers from across Zimbabwe, each representing their respective outlets in a test of precision, speed and passion for flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken.
Godo, a griller at Nando’s Samora Machel branch in Harare, emerged victorious, walking away with US$1 000 in cash prize and his first international trip.
Speaking at the event, Nando’s Zimbabwe general manager Thabani Banda said the competition reflects the brand’s commitment to excellence and skills development.
“There’s a competition, for example, in Zimbabwe called 21 Cassa, which is 21 stores. Cassa is Portuguese for House and then each particular store throughout the whole country will hold its own competition,” Banda said.
“One guy is selected from that particular store or Cassa. Then that person will then come here to Avondale, Harare, to represent that particular Cassa or province.
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“And then from the 15 guys that were here today, only two will be selected who then represent Zimbabwe in Perth. In Perth, these two guys will be competing against all the other Nandokas across the country where Nandos is represented.”
He added: “This event was championed by the founders of Nando’s brand, Fernando Duarte and Brozen.
“And then they take pride in the Nando’s chicken brand, which emanates from Portuguese, that’s where the name comes from.
“[Remember] we always say that our brand is not about chicken, it’s about people who make that chicken.”
Magnus Potgieter, from Nando’s Partners Division, South Africa, described the International Grillers’ Challenge as a flagship annual event that brings together top-performing grillers from across more than 20 countries.
“We take care of all the Middle East franchise markets as well as the African franchise markets, excluding South Africa. So this year, the first national competition in the international calendar, which happens over 21 countries, was in Zimbabwe,” Potgieter said.
“So the quality that we saw today out of all the 15 grillers, it was a very close call. But beyond that, the spirit of Nando’s, which, as we all know, is based on Ubuntu. ‘I am, because we are’.
“We can all see that with the Patraos here, the Nandokas. You know, just wishing everyone the best. The food quality in Zimbabwe has always been next level, so there’s no surprise there.”
Potgieter added that Zimbabwe has consistently demonstrated strong performance on the international stage.
“In Botswana two years ago, we placed third overall out of, I think, about 28 grillers internationally.
“This is from Dubai, from Malaysia to South Africa. And last year, unfortunately, due to visas, we couldn’t compete in Scotland.
“That’s why the fire is more this year. But the competition is improving every year. The quality is improving every year. So we are very pleased about it. Thank you.”
Godo said his victory reflects dedication and growth over his three-year journey with Nando’s, adding that representing Zimbabwe internationally is both an honour and motivation to excel further.
The 2025 international title was won by a Canadian representative in Edinburgh, Scotland, highlighting the global reach and competitive intensity of the challenge.
The Perth finals later this year are expected to draw elite grillers from across the Nando’s network, all vying for top honours in what has become a celebration of skill, culture and culinary craftsmanship.