Ndlovu born to cook up a storm
FOR Vusumuzi Ndlovu, making food was something he felt he needed to do and not learn.
With no formal training, he is determined to do well in the S. Pellegrino Young Chefs competition.
The competition will see 21 young chefs from around the world showcasing their culinary skills for the prestigious S. Pellegrino Young Chef award in Milan next month.
Ndlovu won the regional part of the contest and said he was very positive about the rest of the competition.
Working in Joburg, Ndlovu previously entered the competition and came third in the semi-finals.
He said he felt that entering this time around he would be able to deliver a better dish.
“I feel like the second chance will be my redemption.
“It is quite exciting to be able to do it again, but nerve-racking at the same time.”
His favourite part about cooking is the ability to evoke people’s emotions, Ndlovu said. “It is quite powerful… “We don’t need to speak the same language or look the same, but I can cook you something and you will be left transformed,” he pointed out.
Ndlovu said the fact that he was not in any culinary school shocked some people, but he didn’t see the point in it, and just wanted to get into making exquisite dishes.
“I found the whole concept a little boring. I wanted to be in the kitchen searing steaks, not reading about how best to do it.
“After a few years of making my way through kitchens in various restaurants, I was lucky enough to meet Peter Tempelhoff, who became my mentor.”
Ndlovu said he believes that having the chance to work in fivestar hotels from a young age gave him the upper hand and taught him to work well under pressure.
The competition will further elevate his passion for the job and he was hopeful that he could win, he added.
“I did not expect to win the regional part of the competition, but we have a good solid dish, with a good story behind it, and I am expecting a good result.”