A culinary talent with a clear mission is breaking down barriers in Sandton – making traditional South African meals accessible and hassle-free for those who crave the nostalgic flavours of home-cooked food.
Le Chef Phill, the mastermind behind The Unorthodox Chef Catering, has carved out a reputable niche in the culinary world since launching his business three years ago.
The venture specialises in Mzansi’s finest traditional cuisine, rooted in cherished family recipes that evoke love and warmth.
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Le Chef Phill identified a gap in the market for convenient, yet authentic, traditional African meals.
By modernising recipes from yesteryear but preserving their authentic flavours, he caught the attention of major retailers.
His frozen meal range includes dishes such as cow head, hard body chicken, chicken’s feet, oxtail, ox trotters, mala and mogodu, three bean stew, and beef stew.
Reflecting on his journey, Le Chef Phill shared, “I started this journey during the pandemic in 2021 from a humble garage. After six months, I upgraded to a small restaurant in the Boulders area of Midrand.”
He added the shift from working at a quarantine site for 11 months to pursuing this business was a risk and a bold move that bore its challenges.
“Despite those challenges, I reconfigured my business model for success, eventually transitioning from a restaurant to a production kitchen focused on producing cooked and frozen traditional meals.”
Looking ahead, Le Chef Phill is already planning to expand his reach, with efforts underway to introduce his products to Checkers’ shelves.
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He also envisions franchising the business through container freezers strategically placed in townships, empowering local entrepreneurs to sell his products and start their own businesses.
“This initiative, coupled with plans to introduce more African dishes like Kariba bream and Jollof rice, reflects my commitment to both preserving and innovating traditional cuisine.”
Celebrating South African heritage through food, The Unorthodox Chef Catering has taken a hands-on approach to crafting meals that reflect the country’s diverse cultures.
“Through extensive travel and collaboration with families renowned for their traditional recipes, I have ensured that each meal retains the flavours and preparations beloved by generations. All ingredients are locally sourced, supporting local farmers and suppliers while maintaining the authenticity of traditional recipes.”
Details: The Unorthodox Chef Catering offers a taste of home with traditional meals now available in 84 Pick ’n Pay stores and also via Uber Eats.
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