Ms Nokuthula Portia Mngqosini, a level 3 Hospitality student at Gert Sibande TVET College, was overwhelmed when she qualified as one of the finalists for the Great South African Student Chef Cookout, organised by Tiger Brands.
Her journey began when she entered the competition at campus level where she was selected to submit a recipe.
The recipe was taken to Tiger Brands and she was later called for an interview.
The interview was successful so much so that she won the competition in Mpumalanga and was chosen to represent the province in the Nationals of Tiger Brands Chefs of the Future for the ‘Great South African Cookbook.’
She went on to win the nationals and received kitchen utensils, a cap and T-shirt, the Great South African Cook Book featuring her recipe, six months’ grocery supplies and R10 000 prize money which was split between her and the campus.
She was also given an internship opportunity in Durban to work as an air chef.
The campus management is extremely proud of her achievements.
“We are very proud of her achievements, not only because she has put the college and the province on the map, but also for the opportunities she has created for herself,” Ms Joan Dibakoena, HOD: Business studies at Standerton Campus, said.
“Her achievements are because of her diligence and hard-working ethic.”
Ms Mngqosini’s journey has not been an easy one. She was born in Gauteng and moved to Standerton in 2008 where she stayed with her grandmother who owned a guest house in the township.
She enrolled at Gert Sibande TVET College in 2009 for Hospitality.
Ms Mngqosini wanted to become a pilot while in high school, but due to circumstances she dropped out in Grade 11 in 2007.
Assisted by a Department of Higher Education with a training bursary, she enrolled at Gert Sibande College Standerton Campus and completed her NCV Hospitality Qualification in 2016.
According to her, she is content with her life and she does not regret not studying to be a pilot as she realised that she actually enjoys cooking.
Hear what else she had to say in the next edition of the Standerton Advertiser.
