Special tribute We remember chef Lesego Semenya and share the final recipe he developed for TASTE
Lesego Semenya, a.k.a. Les Da Chef, cookbook author, television presenter, TASTE columnist and beloved TASTETube host, passed away in July, after contracting Covid-19. He was just 39
Bornand raised in Soweto, Lesego Semenya started out as a process engineer before pursuing his dream of cooking. After studying at Prue Leith Chef’s Academy in Centurion, he went on to work in professional kitchens, including Richard Branson’s Sabi Sands. He appeared on several TV shows, including Top Chef South Africa and most recently, DStv’s Celebrity Mystery Box. He authored the best-selling cookbook Dijo and was perhaps best known for his recipes championing heritage ingredients. Since lockdown 2020 he had been producing monthly recipe videos for TASTETube.
THE TASTE TEAM REMEMBERS OUR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND
Abigail Donnelly
Food director
“Over Easter, Lesego cooked with Anele in a TV show for Woolies, and both their larger-than-life personalities had the crew in hysterics as they cooked gourmet boerie rolls and chocolate marshmallow Easter egg jaffles. Lesego was funny, generous, sincere and kind and I will treasure all his recipes always. I’m so grateful that I had the privilege of working with him.”
Hannah Lewry
Contributing food editor
“It was an absolute privilege and honour to work with Lesego. His hand-crushed chimichurri is one of my favourite recipes, every time I make it I will think of him! What a titan among men!”
Mogau Seshoene Best-selling author, chef and TASTE contributor
“Lesego was always such a consummate professional, a dedicated and talented chef, what an absolute pleasure he was to work with. Always ready to help, always such a gentleman. What a loss to our industry.”
Katharine Pope
Head of digital content
“During hard lockdown last year, I contacted Lesego to produce cooking videos for us. Restrictions made sending a cameraman impossible, so he gamely agreed to film himself. I still remember that first shoot – I was trying to direct via Zoom, but the laptop’s speaker didn’t work, so I had to wave frantically and then he’d stop, come over and plug in the headphones to see what I wanted. It was an hysterical process – and in the end we had to rerecord the sound – but Lesego laughed through it all and was unendingly patient.
“Lesego leaves a legacy that makes you proud to be South African”
– Katharine Pope
That’s how he was: a huge, warm spirit. He leaves a legacy of foolproof, delicious recipes that make you proud to be South African. I can’t believe he’s gone so soon.”
Fred Wollner
Videographer
“We had a great working relationship. We always had a laugh at shoots and he would send me home with my dedicated Tupperware full of the goodies he had prepared. What a fantastic guy. He was a great spirit and will be missed.”
Jeanne Calitz
Commercial projects editor
“A few years ago, we had to shoot some ‘outside’ braai videos, but the shoot was in August and, naturally for Cape Town, it was storming. Les was such a good sport and kept his sense of humour and composure even while dripping wet, with great gusts of wind wreaking havoc with his braai. He was the real deal – professional, knowledgeable, compassionate, friendly and down to earth. A gentle giant of a man who will be much missed.”
Annzra Denita
Online editor
“I loved to see the joy his TASTEtube videos brought to the TASTE online community. Every time we posted one of Les’s videos, the comments section would go crazy. He brought his heritage to the forefront with his recipes, and this resonated with people who felt seen and represented.”