Womba Mfundi Chef

Are you a food lover Is cooking your thing

Step into the kitchen with Chef Womba Mfundi known professionally as Chef Womzi Chef Womzi has made a name for herself in the culinary world through her passion for global cuisine and her talent for incorporating local ingredients into her dishes

At 29 years old, Chef Womba is the CEO and Head Chef of Womz Nomz, a catering business based in Lusaka, Zambia. Her love for cooking began when she was just 8 years old, cooking alongside her mother, siblings, and house help. Despite being self-taught, Chef Womba's skills were recognized when she won the amateur category of Master Cook Zambia 5 years ago. This gave her the confidence to start her own catering business in 2018, which has since expanded to a team of six members.

What Chef Womba loves most about her job is the joy that her food brings to her customers. Seeing their excitement when they try the food that she and her team have worked so hard to prepare is truly an honor for her.

Reflecting on her career, Chef Womba's biggest regret is not starting earlier. However, she has learned valuable lessons along the way, such as the importance of asking for help and delegating tasks.

For a SKY girl interested in pursuing a career in Culinary Arts, Chef Womba advises educating oneself as much as possible. “You need to have good grades if you want to become a chef, it's not a degree you enroll for as a last resort because you didn’t do well in school. You will still need to use a lot of mathematics because recipes are all about quantities and measurements, also you will have to learn costing and you need to be good at science because cooking is a science big time.”

Having excellent English skills as developing menus that effectively communicate and provide comprehensive information to customers is crucial. The title of a good chef is earned through hard work and dedication, as chefing is a demanding profession that requires consistent effort. Without putting in the necessary effort, even talented individuals may find that their potential goes unrealized.

And lastly, consider enrolling into culinary school to acquire the best qualifications. At the moment Zambia doesn't have a degree level course for culinary. There are diploma level certificates from institutions like Fairview college and Teveta. As well as practice and read culinary books and gaining as much hands-on experience as possible through internships, job shadowing, and volunteer work. Chefing is hard work and requires effort and hard work to truly succeed, but the sky's the limit for those who are willing to put in the work. As an executive chef, one can earn upwards of K120,000 annually, with the potential to earn even more as a restaurant entrepreneur. She also emphasizes the importance of resilience and standing up for oneself in the male-dominated culinary industry.

Get ready to be blown away by the comedic powerhouse that is Vubwi! With her talent, she is quickly establishing herself as one of the biggest names in comedy. Catch her live on stage, on your TV screen, or follow her on social media - no matter where you encounter her, it's crystal clear that her wit and humor are extraordinary. Vubwi is a force to be reckoned with in the world of comedy, and she's taking the industry by storm with her unique style and impeccable timing.

What did you want to become when you were a kid?

VUBWI: I was so passionate about poetry that I wanted to become a poet. I never imagined that I would become a comedian.

Tell us about your journey into comedy and how you got your start?

VUBWI: There was no transition. Stand-up comedy was not part of my plan at all. I was in a play in my first year of university, and my character was everyone's favorite. Then, I starred in another play, and the character I played was also a fan favorite. Two weeks later, I was invited to my first show as a stand-up comedian in 2017.

What is your creative process like?

VUBWI: It happens naturally. If you sit down and try to think of the material, it becomes very difficult. We usually tell people stories and then think, "Wait! That could be a very good skit." I surround myself with funny people, and that allows my creative juices to flow.

How did you come up with Vubwi?

VUBWI: When I starred in my first play, I was asked to act as a mad person. I was not comfortable taking that role because I understood that people do not choose to lose their minds, so I asked to play a drunk person instead. That was how Vubwi was born.

How do you balance being funny with being sensitive to potentially offensive material?

VUBWI: Before I perform, I run my material through a couple of fellow comedians just to see what may or may not offend people. I have always been considerate of others. My father taught me to always think of the next person before I do or say something.

Have you ever had performance anxiety, and how did you overcome it?

VUBWI: All the time! It never goes away. I can't eat sweets before a performance because my stomach turns, and I get sweaty palms. The only thing that calms me down is singing. If I couldn't sing, I think I would lose my mind. I usually pace up and down while singing and then go through what I would like to talk about before saying a prayer.

How do you handle criticism or negative reviews?

VUBWI: It all comes down to introspection. Introspection creates a shield that keeps criticism from negatively affecting you. If you know why you are doing what you are doing, you will understand that opinions are not facts. I try not to pay attention to opinions that come from a place of bitterness.

Who are some of your biggest influences in comedy?

VUBWI: Number one would be my dad. He’s very funny. I also look up to Tiffany Haddish, Trevor Noah, Dave Chapelle, and Kevin Hart.

Can you share any upcoming projects that you’re excited about?

VUBWI: Next month we have a show at the Music Club and the headliner is Salvador from Uganda. In May, I have another show in Chingola, Copperbelt, and in June, we have a show as well. I'm very excited about them. On April 6, Easter Comedy Festival with headliner Patrick Salvador from Uganda at the Music Club, East Park Mall. May 26th and 27th, the Kopala Comedy Festival in Chingola.

What is the most important thing you want your audience to take away you’re your performance?

VUBWI: Science. When I make jokes about science, I really do want the audience to know how the body works.

What is the best piece of advice you have received in your career?

VUBWI: A friend once told me that when you are about to perform on stage, do not compare yourself with the previous comedian. Your audience has come to see YOU. Be yourself and do your best.

What advice do you have for aspiring comedians?

VUBWI: It’s haaaard! Your audience is a mix of different people, and you do not always know what is suitable for certain groups. Thinking of material that will make everyone laugh is not easy. If you are not careful, people will judge you because of one bad performance. It can also be frustrating because people prefer more popular comedians, so they may not pay you as much attention. You need to be very introspective and understand why you are doing what you do. You need to love what you do because when things get tough, your passion will help you push through.

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