Betty Hleza has recently graduated as a qualified chef after joining the Lucky Star Enterprise Development Programme.
The tuition programme she attended lasted for about nine months and during this time the candidates completed 12 modules in practical cookery, 12 modules in theory on the practices of cookery and business practice for caters.
Hleza said: “Lucky Star wanted small business owners who wanted to develop their businesses.
“I applied last year and was thrilled when I heard I had gotten in.
“There were 14 of us and during this time we learnt a lot about theory and practical of food, how to handle it, bacteria’s and germs among other things.”
She said that through this opportunity she has learnt a lot of things which she hopes will increase her clientele at her business, Hleko’s Place.
Through this certificate Hleza says she can also get more jobs which require a qualified chef.
“Before this I had no formal training but just loved cooking.
“My husband and I also loved good food and entertaining which is what lead us leaving our jobs and opening this place in 2009.
“Through that we also wanted to create jobs for other people,” she said.
Hleza advised all those who want to be in this business not to despair as eventually they will get what they want.
She said business is not easy, it wants for you to be passionate, have perseverance, have creativity and be a step ahead at all times.
