Out-patient and in-patient chefs brought their best cooking skills to this year’s Cooking with Gadgets finals in Parktown. The battle for the two spots in the finals took place at the Occupational Therapy (OT) department at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
According to OT department assistant director Veda Yip Cateaux, the programme started five years ago with the purpose of training OT patients who love cooking to use assistive devices to allow themselves to be independent.
“One of the biggest challenges for them is the need to do things for themselves when they leave the hospital and get home. Sometimes they might need a family member or someone to help them which can sometimes be very frustrating,” Cateaux said.
She added that they figured that assistive devices would be the best way to encourage them to do things themselves. Upon figuring out that most people like cooking reality programmes, Cateaux said they decided to enter the OT patients into a competition in which their ability to use gadgets would be an entry requirement.
She added that in the first year, they struggled with sponsorship but they received assistance as time progressed. They proceeded to work on recipe books which focused on diet and nutritional value. “We used this opportunity to show they are not disabled but differently-abled. The patients are empowered and in turn empower others. Some of our patients have even started working and opened their own food shops.”
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She added that on that day of the finals, it was also the launch of the new kitchen courtesy of their sponsor, JD Group.
Lulu Mahlangu from JD Group said their company oversaw various kitchenware companies. Mahlangu said Allen Muller, head of corporate sales for HiFi Corp had initiated the idea to sponsor the kitchen and over three weeks had arranged for the utensils to be delivered.
Mahlangu said, “We felt that this is a way of giving back and we value the amazing initiative done here as it empowers healthy lifestyles.”
A the end of the competition, the judges announced Lindani Ndlovu as the winner and Adri Maryna Mauff as a runner-up.
According to communications and PR directorate at the hospital, Lungiswa Mvumvu, “Ndlovu was involved in a motorbike accident and sustained an injury to his left arm. During his therapy, the therapist noted lack of motivation and drive.
“He worked as a head chef at Tasha’s and the therapist recommended he participate in the Cooking with Gadgets programme. Initially, he was reluctant, however, with the continued motivation he realised that he can do things even with a disability, he felt more independent and confident.
“Adri had been an active member of the community, had volunteered at the SAPS providing support to victims and families of various crimes, she sings in the St Columbus choir and loves cooking and baking. She was mauled by a dog, trying to save the life of a student and lost her left arm.”
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