'Losing Everything Gave Me A Chance At A Fresh Start'

Chef, blogger and TV personality Nthabiseng Ramaboa, 34, chats to Leigh Hermon about the mistakes she has made, reinventing herself (and her career!), and memorable Friday night dinners.

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Before she was Chef Nti, Nthabiseng had a life outside of the spotlight. She studied auditing for a year and then marketing, before heading up South African Airways’ corporate social investment. Nti decided early on that the nine-to-five life was just not for her so she started Era Clean, a facilities management business. She also pursued her love for fashion and opened three Bello Couture clothing stores in Joburg. In 2014 she closed both businesses and sold off everything she owned to start from scratch as a chef in Los Angeles. Back in SA, while studying towards a diploma in culinary arts at the International Hotel School in Sunninghill, she started her blog, PS I Cooked This (psicookedthis.com). Nti has gone on to host The Perfect Ace on e.tv, and, now settled in Sandton, she currently whips up meals every Thursday morning on e.tv’s Sunrise.

Despite having to work with a very tight budget, my mom was super creative in the kitchen.

As a single mother living in Soweto, she did everything she could to make sure that my sister and I never went without a good meal. I didn’t fully realise it then, but we didn’t have much at all, yet somehow dinner time was always the best part of the day. I remember my sister and I walking home from school, and the excitement building with every step as we wondered what we’d be eating that night. One meal that sticks out in my mind is her meat and rice parcels. They were these delicious packages of goodness wrapped in cabbage leaves – my mouth still waters at the thought!

Friday night dinner was a big deal in our house.