What is going on with food on the continent? There are 40 teams from around the world that have signed up for the International Culinary Olympics and South Africa is the only team from Africa that has signed up so far. You would think that a continent that is rich in flavors, spices, and taste would have more representatives in the game.

The South Africans have been a part of the Culinary Olympics since 1980 when they brought home five individual gold medals and won fourth place overall in the hot competition. In 2000, the South African National Culinary Team, better known as Team SA, was comprised of a wholly South African born and trained team. To learn more about them you can visit the South African Chef’s Association website.

The official chef’s tram is waiting and teams still have until August 31, 2008 to send in their registration forms, so, hopefully, more African flags will pop up on the official olympic website. Thank you, South Africa, for holding down the fort and representing Africa so well.