Durban — KwaZulu-Natal duo Sivesetfu Bhembe and Aphiwe Zuma will compete in the RCL Foods Young Chefs & Bakers Challenge and test their culinary abilities against some of the best young chefs in the country.
The duo will compete against 60 chefs from across the country, with the chance to win a share of R65 000 in prizes.
The annual competition has become renowned for the opportunity it gives young chefs to shine, and this year 60 talented young chefs from across South Africa are gathering to showcase their skills in regional semi-finals in Cape Town, Pretoria, and Durban.
The competition will take place at the Capsicum Culinary Studio Durban Campus on September 12.
One of the semi-finalists, Bhembe, shared his shock following being selected into the semi-finals.
The 20-year-old is currently a second-year student at 1000 Hills Chef School.
The Botha’s Hill resident said that he had always had a passion for cooking and ventured into it very early. He said, “I have always wanted to venture into cooking but I only took it seriously towards the end of my high school period. This is because I never thought it’d be a good career but I got over that fear and applied to culinary school and the rest was history.”
Bhembe added that he was also inspired by the creations he would see on the Food Channel and he wasn’t bound by a specific chef.
Bhembe said he doesn't have a specific cooking style because he believes chefs have to be versatile and cross-skilled. “I am a bit of both, so I can cope in both the kitchen and pastry,” he said.
The trainee chef added that he hopes to gain maximum knowledge, to test himself and to enhance his skills during this competition as it pushes competitors to be a better version of themselves.
Outside of cooking, Bhembe said he loves listening to classic opera music.
He concluded that his motto in life is, “Whatever will be, will be.”
The second semi-finalist, Zuma, said that she was really excited and a bit shocked.
“I’ve always enjoyed cooking but never imagined I would get this far. It was a surreal moment that motivated me to push harder,” Zuma said.
Zuma, 22, who hails from Elandskop, a rural town outside Pietermaritzburg, said that she enjoyed cooking and knew how to cook from a young age.
Like Bhembe, Zuma is currently a student at 1000 Hills Chef School, working toward completing her Highfield Level 4 Diploma in Culinary Supervision and Management.
“I was inspired by traditional South African cuisine, especially from my family and community, and eventually decided to pursue a culinary career as I realised how much I enjoyed experimenting with food and creating new dishes,” she said.
Zuma said her objective in this competition was to challenge herself, expand her skills, and showcase how South African cuisine can be elevated using modern techniques while maintaining its rich heritage.
Zuma says she enjoys reading, listening to music, and exploring poetry; and these hobbies help her relax and inspire her creativity in the kitchen.
She considers herself diverse and enjoys experimenting with a wide range of cuisines. She said she likes to explore different flavours and techniques and to continually expand her culinary skills.
“What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you created” - Buddha.
She said that this philosophy keeps her focused on positive thinking and the power of imagination in everything she does.
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