Ntsako Mabunda
LIMPOPO – “IF YOU think that your life will consist of restaurant food daily, think again. When we are at home, we want good home-cooked food.
“We will not likely be interested in cooking when we get home, but when we do cook for you, you will fall in love all over again,” cautions Xitshembiso Shibambu, a chef who wants to set the record straight to all women who think getting married to a professional chef is the most romantic thing in the world. Shibambu, a Giyani-born man, graduated from university with a properties studies diploma and worked for three years before he realised that he hated his job and the work he was doing altogether.
He one day decided to make the change and sat his parents down and told them he wanted to go back to school to become a full time chef to fulfill his true calling which he finally realised he had ignored.
He was surprised that they completely supported his decision to become a chef and had noticed this passion in him as he was growing up.
Shibambu had always been the one who would offer to cook and invite his friends and family over to his place to share his love for food and to entertain them whilst connecting in a way he feels is best. Shibambu enrolled at a culinary school in Bloemfontein for a two year advanced diploma in classic culinary arts.
He finished his internship and got industry experience and now he is currently working at a fine dining restaurant in Bloemfontein as sous chef, the person who is second in command to the head chef in the kitchen.
Much like a principal of a school that is in charge of the business and administrative side of things, a head chef is in charge of the financial side in the kitchen and restaurant.
A sous chef takes care of ensuring that the food is served to the highest standards.
“To be a chef you must be hard working, self-motivated and take initiative. You must be able to work well in a team as well as be eager to learn,” Shibambu advises anyone who wants to follow his path.
