From township kitchen to top chef: Zinhle’s culinary journey

WHAT began as ordinary kitchen chores beside her mother, peeling potatoes, chopping onions, tasting broth, has blossomed into a remarkable culinary ascent.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

AT JUST 25, Zinhle Skosana has risen from humble beginnings in Mamelodi to become a Senior Head Chef and rising star in South Africa's culinary scene.

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From the vibrant streets of Mamelodi to the refined kitchens of Pretoria East, Zinhle Skosana’s journey is a stirring testament to passion, perseverance, and the courage to chase a dream one dish at a time.

Now, at just 25, Skosana is fast becoming a rising force in South Africa’s culinary landscape. Her story, rooted in humble beginnings and seasoned with hard-earned skill, is as rich and layered as the sauces she so effortlessly creates, proof that greatness can grow from the simplest ingredients.

In 2023, Skosana took a bold step in her culinary journey by enrolling at Capsicum, South Africa's leading culinary institution. She graduated as a qualified professional chef from the Pretoria campus in July 2024, a moment she describes as both emotional and empowering.

While her time at Capsicum provided the foundation, she said that most of what she knows now came from throwing herself into the real job in the kitchen trenches.