Chef Alex is an inspiration to all
It was time for me to be a man, so I took the dishwasher job
FROM restaurant dishwasher to cooking scrumptious meals for kings and presidents, chef Alex Ngcamu (40) is a clear example of how hard work and determination can yield great results.
His story of how he rose from rags to riches is an inspiration to every young child living in the rural heart of Zululand. This renowned executive sous chef from Mamazane reserve in eNseleni grew up without any dreams of cooking, but only of finding work and taking care of his mother and his underprivileged family of 10 siblings.
“I knew the family didn’t have money for me to study, so I didn’t give it any thought. I knew my circumstances, and I didn’t even dream about studying anything or becoming a professional.
“It was time for me to grow up and be a man,” he said.
And Alex did exactly that – after finishing school in 2003, he took a job as a dishwasher at a restaurant in Richards Bay.
“While working at Imvubu Lodge as a washer, I realised I had a love for the kitchen and for food. That’s when I started learning the basics of cooking,” he recalls.
It wasn’t long before Alex was given a well-deserved promotion and became a junior chef for the establishment – learning all the tricks of the trade.
“Being in the kitchen opened my mind. Every day I learnt something new and I realised it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
“I was grateful to have taken the job of a washer because it opened many opportunities and led to me living a fulfilling life,” he said.
After becoming a chef, Alex enrolled as a hospitality and catering management student at Boston City College, but owing to his financial predicament, he had to drop out.
However, he carried on as junior chef and soon moved up to the position of chef at Crossway, then Country Club in Pietermaritzburg.
Some years later, he moved back to Zululand and was the chef at the then Protea Hotel Waterfront in Richards Bay.
He was later hired as an executive sous chef at Sun City Resorts in North West where he finally received training and formal qualifications.
“It’s been a journey, but I’m grateful for every moment. I have been blessed to be able to prepare meals for hundreds of people on holiday or celebrating their special moments.
“It’s been an honour to be able to cook for presidents and kings, including Jacob Zuma and the late King Goodwill Zwelithini.
“I hope my story inspires other young people, and helps them understand they have to start somewhere. We must never look down on jobs because they could be the beginning of something great.
“Hard work and determination can have good results,” he said.
This father of three dreams about one day returning to Zululand and teaching young chefs the skills and the ins and outs of the hospitality industry.
He also dreams of opening his own restaurant where youngsters can have their start in the industry.