In The Kitchen – Themba Gwejela

Themba Gwejela swapped a corporate marketing gig for his culinary passion. He hosts Mr Gwej's Kitchen, a popular monthly food session

What are your earliest food memories?

Food was a big part of my upbringing in Peddie, Eastern Cape. My mother loved to cook, and our home was never short of freshly prepared meals. My aunt was fond of baking and always asked us to help out and, before I knew it, I was baking too.

How did your passion for entertaining begin?

I worked in the media and communications industry for more than 10 years before starting my own consultancy. Food's always been a big passion of mine. For fun, I'd often cook my for friends and only started entertaining paying guests in 2018. I now host a table for eight guests every second Sunday, called Mr Gwej's Kitchen, where I serve a three-course lunch paired with amazing South African wines.

Who do you admire in the food industry?

I'm inspired by a lot of young foodies who've found a way to make a living out of their passion.

What's your signature dish?

My oxtail (slow-cooked in red wine) is quite popular — it oozes flavour. I also make a mean seared salmon with sweet potato mash.

Describe your cooking style.

Soulful. I cook with my heart and my food's a reflection of that. It's colourful, warm and inviting.

Drink that you unwind with?

Gin and tonic. Gin's versatile and I make all sorts of pretty cocktails with it.

What is your food motto?

Novelist Virginia Woolf once said, “One cannot think well, love well or sleep well, if one has not dined well.”