AT YOUR SERVICE

Two local chefs give us the low-down on their style and fare

CHEF - Lerato Zondi

Twenty-five-year-old chef Lerato Zondi from Thornton, Cape Town, established her own food company during the pandemic called Otarel, baking custom-made cakes to fit any occasion as well as catering for events big and small. Against all odds, it has been doing well. Otarel is her name backwards.

I have loved cooking and creating dishes from an early age and used to help my granny and mom stir pots for family gatherings. I saw how food was a good enough reason to gather even the busiest of family members around the table and even the simplest of dishes was enjoyed amidst chatter, gossip and laughter. Food is also a great peace offering and has always been my secret weapon.

FAVOURITE COOKING TOOLS:

I love my cakesicle mould. As a girl who lives for close to zero waste, I love the idea of being able to use my cake off-cuts in a beautiful way. Also my pastry-horn baking mould which makes it really easy for me to make pastry shells. I make a “milktart” cannoli

STYLE:

Food is my unspoken language of love, with energy and love being the main ingredients, and I hope that other people feel that too whenever they eat my food. One of my goals is to introduce the world to South African flavours. I am also passionate about ensuring no one is denied access to wholesome and nutritious food and my dream job would be to somehow be involved in a project aimed at ending world hunger.

CONTACT:

otareleats@gmail.com