Ready, steady, cook
MIDRAND - A renowned chef who lives in Midrand spoke to Midrand Reporter about his career.
Chef Citrum Khumalo owns a culinary school in Austin View, the Culinary Passions School of Hospitality. He learnt most of his cooking skills in restaurants and hotels and has a diploma in gourmet cooking and catering, as well as a culinary arts qualification.
Khumalo has also been involved in catering for small and large events. “One of my highlights was a car racing event held in Sandton in 2008. We prepared gourmet food for 2000 people,” he said.
Khumalo has been a chef for 18 years. He said he was drawn to the catering industry because of his love for cooking and meeting different people.
When asked for advice to budding chefs, Khumalo said, “Realise that the work is demanding and yet very fun. Chefs are artists: you have to unleash your creative nature and stand out in your field of specialty.”
Khumalo’s culinary school has proved to be successful, too. “Over the past few years our school has trained about 100 young people who have become very successful in the catering industry. On completion of a diploma we send the students overseas for a year or two to hone their skills,” he added.
Khumalo’s culinary school is giving away a scholarship for a Chef’s Certificate worth R40 000. “The deserving individual will need their own transport and be prepared to study to be a chef full-time for 18 months.”
If you are interested in applying for the scholarship email your CV and motivation letter to Khumalo at hospitality@culinary-pp.com. Applications close on 15 February.
