Hats off to Chef Benny

Masekwameng, well known for his part in the success of MasterChefSA, cooked up a storm for guests as he celebrated being chosen to feature on the cover of a popular South African men’s magazine.

Hailing from Alexandra, Masekwameng found himself drawn to the culinary world when he would help his mother who supplied meals to construction workers in Alexandra for additional income.

“Where I am today is proof that anyone can rise above his beginnings – it matters not where you come from, if you believe in something and you work hard for it, you can make it happen,” he said.

The celebrity chef, who is also executive chef at Tsogo Sun, said that when he was younger and he would look at brochures showing cruise ship gourmet food, he had no idea he was looking at what was going to be his world.

“Funny enough, the person who supported me the most in my journey is the same person who didn’t want me cooking in the kitchen with my mother to begin with… my father,” said Masekwameng.

Priya Naidoo the general manager of communications for Tsogo Sun said it was Masekwameng’s approach that made him who he was.

“One of the dreams we had for Benny when he joined Tsogo Sun three years ago, was to get him on the cover of this magazine and it is his personal growth that has culminated in the magazine cover,” she said.

Editor of the magazine, Kojo Baffoe, said it did take time before they could put Masekwameng on the cover, but believes that his story is one that is not only inspirational but also relevant when looking at how people engage. Baffoe said it was rare that people would meet or gather and food would not be part of the equation.

“The most important thing for us as a magazine is to engage. With food, there is an opportunity to create a South African identity and it is people like Benny who start this conversation,” he said.