Tembisa’s ‘culinary gangster’ makes waves in the food industry

As a 15-year-old boy being brought up by his grandmother in Tembisa, Meshack Mabuza’s dream of becoming a chef and following a career in the hospitality industry seemed like a fantasy.

A few years later, as he celebrated his 22nd birthday on April 18, he is well on his way to making his dream of, “Making the World Taste Great” a reality.

Thanks to the Peermont Community Benefit Trust (PCBT), a CSI initiative of Emperors Palace and his own hard work, tenacity, perseverance, not to mention culinary talent.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for the youngster, however, as after matriculating from Ponelopele Oracle Secondary School in Tembisa in 2014, he was necessitated to work in a national chain store’s warehouse in Centurion. There was no money for him to follow a tertiary education. A move to become a call centre agent followed putting his culinary aspirations on hold.

In 2016, his life was set to change course when the PCBT, in partnership with the City of Ekurhuleni, established the Peermont Hotel School (PHS) at Emperors Palace.

Aimed at less fortunate youngsters from Ekurhuleni, who have their sights set on becoming chefs, waitrons or housekeepers, the school offered a 12-month fully-funded learnership to 72 deserving youngsters when it opened its doors in May 2016.

Among the fortunate learnership recipients of the Class of 2016, was a thrilled Mabuza who had been accepted into the chef’s programme, starting his journey to realising his dream and become known by colleagues as “The Culinary Gangster”.

“When I received the news I was going to the hotel school I couldn’t believe it, it was one of the best days of my life!” says Mabuza.

“The PHS created a platform for me to make my mark as a young chef in this industry with proper guidance and basic education. It (the school) also gave me all the tools I needed to make it to where I am now, I’m just so grateful.”

He quickly became one of the stars in the programme and after completing his theoretical training course under the guidance of Chef Lehan Botha of Celo, the accredited training provider for the PHS, Mabuza moved onto his practical training, which is part of the programme, in the kitchens of Emperors Palace.

On graduating among the top students in his class, Mabuza didn’t let grass grow under his feet and he boldly approached My Kitchen Rules SA judge, Chef David Higgs for a job at the latter’s well-known Marble Restaurant in Johannesburg.

Much to Mabuza’s delight, Higgs gave him a chance, enabling the youngster to work and learn alongside one of the best-known chefs in the country.

It wasn’t always easy as he often worked the late-shift. With transport back to Tembisa not easily available at that late hour, Mabuza showed his determination to succeed and spent many a night sleeping after his shift at a nearby garage before being able to get a train back home early in the morning.

His tenacity and single mindedness to prosper has stood him in good stead, earning him the position of Chef de partie at Higg’s new trendy Saint Restaurant in Sandton.

Speaking about his time working with Chef Higgs, Mabuza comments, “He has taught me how to be an old school professional chef, from respecting my ingredients to mastering flavour combinations and creating great tasting, delicious food.

Mabuza has plans to pursue a tertiary education in hospitality and tourism while he sets new goals and bigger dreams, like one day owning his own restaurant.

“Meshack is a walking example of what can be achieved with talent, hard work, a touch of chutzpah and the help of a fully-funded learnership from Emperors Palace’s PCBT to attend the Peermont Hotel School,” says the trust’s manager, Jenny Findlay.