Sisters Chi-Chi and Cherry Juan have all the passion and skill for the arts and culinary world.
Finalists in the recent Hirsch’s and Capsicum Cooking School Taste Bud Battle, they showed what they are truly made of.
Crawford College Sandton and Bryneven learners, they made their schools and parents proud with their many achievements.
With pasta and pumpkin in the air, both girls said the experience was challenging but fun at the same time. Their passion for cooking stems from their Taiwanese culture and of course their loving mother.
“Both my sister and I really love eating and exploring different types of foods. When we go overseas and other places, the first thing we do is try out all different types of foods,” said Cherry.
With food running in the family, their father Ryan said he loved how his daughters incorporate a balanced mix of western food, African food and Asian food.
“Sometimes they prepare a whole meal all the way from the starter to the dessert. My wife does the cooking but sometimes if she gets lazy we would just order ‘Uber Eats’ but it’s here at home and the nicest part is that I don’t have to pay for it,” he teased.
Passionate about their craft, Ryan said his daughters were the designated chefs for any occasion.
Apart from cooking, the girls also have a deep love for music.
Earlier this year, they participated in an international competition in which they were invited to play the piano at Beethoven’s house in Germany. This was to celebrate his 250th birthday.
“It’s been postponed to next year. I’m looking forward to so many things and I would love to see how Beethoven lived and to just be there would be amazing. I have been playing piano since I was seven,” said Chi-Chi.
Something else close to their hearts is giving back. Community involvement allows them to fit their passions into the work they do.
“We are also involved in a lot of community work and we really love doing it, so currently we are helping a care centre for children in Tembisa. Spreading music and teaching to the less-fortunate gives me so much joy and purpose,” said Chi-Chi.
Next year, Chi-Chi intends on donating one of her original artworks made from recycled materials to the centre.
With a lot of aspirations, these sisters intend on taking all their skills, projects and inventions to the next level. Watch this space.
