Njabulo Zuma, the sharpest knife in the drawer

Culinary expert, Njabulo Zuma (32), will be showcasing his passion at the Talana live cooking on October 22 with his son Lwandle Mazibuko (9). Njabulo is well known for his sharp skills in the kitchen and for cooking up a storm at his restaurant and at all functions he caters for.
The Courier caught up with him to get a feel on his life journey and an insight to his future plans as a chef.

Finish the sentence “I am…”
A chef and a restaurant owner at Mpangeni. I was born and bred in Dundee, I have six siblings and three children. I attended Dundee Secondary and matriculated at Osizweni High School in Newcastle in 2006. I studied Hospitality Management Sciences at the Durban University of Technology (DUT).

What obstacles have you faced in life and how did you overcome them?
Losing my mother in 2007 while doing my first year at DUT was torturous for me. I became depressed and was assisted by the campus social workers at that time.

When would you say your love for cuisine started? 
I have been cooking since I was nine years old. I remember the first meal I cooked was maize meal porridge for my siblings. I was at home alone with them that day and I must say it wasn’t bad at all, it was rather edible. In Grade 9, I also used to help my Home Economics teacher, Mrs Ntuli from Indonsa Combined School at Newcastle, with her meal preparations for her classes.

What has been your greatest achievement in the culinary field? 
My first encounter of victory was in 2016. I won a cook-off competition in Newcastle. I also won third place at Master Chef North West a couple of years back. In 2015, I opened my own restaurant called Byloading Food and Events which is doing well.
Who have been some of your famous diners? 
Believe it or not, I have cooked for our former president Jacob Zuma in 2009 at a function in Durban. He loved my food so much that he invited me to cook for a family gathering at his home in Nkandla in December. I have also catered for Tiger Woods when he was participating at the Nedbank Golf Challenge a few years ago. Furthermore, I am a personal chef for Dr 3Seconds, a well known traditional healer at Mpangeni.

Fun facts about Njabulo 
Who is your role model? I would have to say, Jamie Oliver, he is one of the best in the industry.
What is your favourite meal? Maas with phuthu.
How many days have you gone without cooking? Three days was the longest and it was not by choice.
What is your signature dish? Lasagne and a Ugandan dish called Luwamba, which is a traditional meal.
What else do you enjoy besides cooking? I love playing soccer and getting involved in community projects such as the recent Ghandi Walk.

Do you have any projects that you are currently working on: I have a radio show at Icora FM (a local radio station at Mpangeni), called Ezasekhaya, I give recipes and advise listeners about diets etc.

Who would you love to cook for? I would have loved to have cooked for the late Nelson Mandela and my late mother.
In conclusion what advice would you give to scholars who would like to get into the culinary field?
First and foremost they must respect food and be passionate about cooking. They must be willing to work hard and not give up on their dreams.
Be willing to pave your own path because as a chef you don’t necessarily need to work at a hotel or restaurant, you can become your own boss. Lastly, don’t be a failure and take chances.
For bookings, please contact Njabulo via email at njabulozm@yahoo.com or on 035 068 0979.