Local caterers scoop award
Festive season recipes courtesy of the Chilli Chocolate Chefs
RECOGNISED for their initiative, perseverance, risk-taking and the ability to create sustainable enterprises, head chefs and owners of Durban’s gourmet catering company, Chilli Chocolate Chefs, recently scooped the 2017 Roshgold’s Young Business Achiever Award.
Roshgold is an investment company in Johannesburg.
The dynamic duo of the Asherville based company, Zainub, 33, and Faatimah Paruk, 32, entered the competition to see how they would fare among other young businesses.
“It started a few months ago when we were tagged in a Facebook post regarding the award that recognises young businesses. After going through the criteria, we decided to enter. There were over 60 other great businesses with fantastic stories of their own. So when we were shortlisted in the top 20, it came as a surprise and then when the top 5 was announced, that is when the nerves really hit us,” Zainub said.
She said it was an unexpected surprise when they were announced the winners.
Best known for preparing delicious gourmet fusion foods, the sisters said their love for food started while experimenting with different recipes in their mother’s kitchen.
“Our mom and aunt encouraged us to be productive during the school holidays and they would send us for cooking, baking and art lessons. This is where the love and interest in food began.”
After leaving school in Grade 8 to go to madressa and then completing matric through correspondence while teaching Islamic studies, the sisters said they still wanted to pursue their passion for food.
“In 2007, we begged our grandfather to sponsor our studies at chef school and this was where it all began for us. After completing our studies, we juggle work with taking small orders from friends and family. This meant working at our jobs during the day and coming home in the evening to prepare each person’s treats. Eventually, the late nights and ridiculous early mornings became too much, so we both decided to partner up and start Chilli Chocolate Chefs.”
They said the uniqueness of their company was what made them different to other chefs and catering businesses.
“We believe that taste and appearance both matter. We take great care in selecting only the best and freshest ingredients to ensure the items taste as good as they look. Our signature is taking the traditional favourites and adding a dash of difference to create a unique flavour.”
The sisters have authored two recipes books, Entertain, a collection of their favourite recipes, and Let’s Cook with Chilli Chocolate Chefs aimed at children.
“We wanted to instil the love of food in them from a young age and this book does just that.”
On their plans next year, Faatimah said they hoped to expand their confectionery line of products and community programmes by hosting regular workshops at children’s homes.
“We hope to inspire them and give them the feeling of what its like to be a chef and make amazing food.”