NEWS launches new cooking feature

The NEWS is delighted to announce a partnership with Greenstone food enthusiast Lova Pillay.

The partnership will see the introduction of a cooking feature called Lovalicious.

Lova aims to share her delicious and easy recipes with readers.

The 53-year-old is a bubbly, cook with an infectious laugh.

She has retired from her finance career, where she was the provincial manager of Absa.

The cook also did a lot of catering work while juggling her profession.

“I am very good with time management and I work well under pressure.”

She said she loved cooking for people.

“I was going crazy as a housewife and I had to be busy, that is when I got a job at Absa.

She would always bring food for her colleagues for free.

“I wanted to give people a taste of who I am, I am authentically Lova.”

Then Absa started booking her for light catering work.

Lova’s finance career only started when she was 35 years old.

“I managed to study through Absa and at 49 years old, I received my NQF 6 in Financial Markets and Management with a distinction.

“I cried. I couldn’t believe I had done that before turning 50 years old,” said Lova.

Her love for cooking led her to open a restaurant, which she unfortunately closed.

Lova fell in love with cooking at a young age.

“I used to love watching my mum cook.”

At 13 years old, she cooked her first meal for the family.

“My mum said I cook better than her and I didn’t believe her, then my dad said the same thing and I believed them.”

She currently is working on a cooking blog where she can share all her passion for cooking.

“I love cooking different food, it can be Italian, Greek, Indian food and so much more.”

Lova likes cooking shows such as The Pioneer Women and Cooking with Siba and hopes to have her own show soon.

She said she is inspired by her family who all own businesses.

Readers should expect seasonal recipes that have an authentic touch.

Food lovers are encouraged to send in recipes they would love to see Lova tackle.