2025 Galliova Award winners announced

The 2025 Galliova Awards were celebrated in style on Friday, 17 October, at Clara’s Barn on the picturesque Vergenoegd Löw Wine Estate in Cape Town.

Finalists, guests and sponsors gathered for the event, which honours excellence in food and health media in South Africa. The awards are sponsored by the Egg and Broiler Producers of the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), and this year’s accolades were handed out by Colin Steenhuisen, chairman of the Egg Board and Breed Society, and vice chairman of the SAPA Board.

This year’s Galliova Food Writer Award went to Christi Nortier, who won the same award last year, making it two in a row. Anna Trapido, a well-known figure in South African food writing, took second place.

In a newly expanded category that now includes social media influencers, the Galliova Health Content Creator Award, was won by first-time entrant and registered dietitian Claire Julsing Strydom. Multiple Galliova winner Lydia van der Merwe was awarded second place.

The Galliova Food Content Creator category was also opened up to social media influencers this year, and the judges found themselves unable to choose between the top two contenders. In the end, it was decided that both Herman Lensing and Sam Linsell would share first place.

This year’s Galliova Egg Champion was Liezl Vermeulen, with Herman Lensing once again in the spotlight, earning second place. The Galliova Chicken Champion Award went to Clement Pedro, with food social media influencer Thilivhali “Mash” Mugwena coming in second.

A brand-new category, the Galliova People’s Hero, was created to highlight food content creators whose content focused on affordable chicken and egg meals. The winners were both social media foodies: Asanda Mbayimbayi took first place and Denzhe Makungo followed in second.

The Up-and-Coming Content Creator category made a return this year. Open to entrants who had entered the Galliova Awards fewer than three times, the award was given to Lichelle May, who made her debut this year.

Adding a bit of fun to the awards, the Galliova Discretionary Delights were introduced as optional awards given to entrants who stood out in unique ways. Four were handed out to worthy winners: Georgia East was recognised for her beautiful food videos, Esther Malan for providing perfectly relevant content for her magazine’s audience, Sinoyolo Sifo for his authenticity and one-of-a-kind approach and Palesa Sauhatsi for making chicken feet meals look truly appetising.

Guests were treated to a feast prepared by outgoing Clara’s Barn head chef, Drikus Brink and incoming chef, Michelle Theron. The event was MC’d by Justine Drake – celebrity chef, TV host and cookbook author, who reflected on the Galliova Awards’ long history and her involvement since its beginnings.

Marthinus Stander, CEO of Rainbow Chicken and a member of SAPA’s Broiler Board, thanked the judges for their commitment, as well as the many food and health media professionals and influencers who have contributed to the awards over the past 36 years.

This year’s judging panel included Marco Torsius, Tarryn Fowler, Prof. Corinna Walsh, Dr. Monique Piderit, Barbara Joubert, Margie Burger and Justine Drake.

Christopher Mason, SAPA’s Manager of Sustainability and Development, spoke about the judging process, emphasising its transparency and that it had been independently audited. He also explained how the updated categories reflect the evolving media landscape.

Now in its 36^th year, the Galliova Awards continue to celebrate the people behind South Africa’s vibrant food and health content, while recognising their role in promoting local poultry and food culture. The awards traditionally take place in the week following World Egg Day, celebrated globally each year on the second Friday of October.