Local chef cooks up a storm
Growing up, she was not given an opportunity to cook at home, which sparked her curiosity about cooking.
Mavis Khorommbi Netshituka, popularly known as Chef May, fell in love with food at a young age.
Chef May was born in Meadowlands, Soweto, before moving to Venda, where she completed her matric.
She has been working in the food industry for the past 21 years.
Growing up, she was not given an opportunity to cook at home, which sparked her curiosity about cooking.
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“I was 16 years old when I decided to become a chef and studied at Tshwane South TVET College,” she said.
Chef May started her career in the food industry as a casual chef at Gold Reef City Theme Park from 2000 to 2002.
She is now a chef at Emperor’s Palace.
“Some people I look up to in the industry include Chef Milton, my late former mentor who taught me everything I know, and Jamie Oliver, the best, according to me. “He cooks healthy, simple meals, and all his recipes are easy to follow step by step.”
Chef May feels there is not enough female representation in the culinary industry.
“This industry prefers men because men are believed to be innovators with extraordinary creative skills,” she said.
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Her advice to young girls who want to be chefs like her one day is to be passionate, dedicated and, most importantly, believe in their dreams.
They must believe their dreams are valid.
“My dream is to open a catering equipment for hire business.
“Also, I don’t want to have my own restaurant, but I want to have a catering school so I can teach the art of cooking,” she said.
