I grew up in the small town of Queenstown in the Eastern Cape. I always knew that my dreams were bigger than the town I was born in.
For as long as I can remember, I always had a passion for cooking, right from a tender young age. However, I never thought I would pursue it as a career. After graduating High School, I made a choice to embark on a journey in the culinary industry. I enrolled at the International Hotel School in Durban and this is where my passion started to grow. I then trained at Elangeni Hotel where I was placed in the pastry department and I fell in love with the craft even more. This made me realise that this was the path in the culinary industry that I wanted to specialize in. I then enrolled into the pastry program at the hotel school.
We learnt everything from simple patisseries, to sky-scraping chocolate works and delicate sugar craft. Everything was new to me but it felt like home. This was the dream I had been yearning for and this was my calling.
I later got a job at The Hilton Hotel where I learned more about pastry and more about myself as well. I still have a lot to learn, many places to see but I believe I’m on the right path to the making a great pastry chef. One who loves and respects the rules and traditions of patisserie while also being bold enough to break the mould. Push boundaries and explore with flavours and techniques. I strive to be a chef that can take you to Paris or a small cafe in Italy through your palate. A chef that shows you the world like you haven’t seen it before!
Siphiwe has been a part of the Nest Hotel family since March and is employed here as a Sous Chef. The next time you dine with us, we hope you are reminded of this story. One of courage and passion, a story that you not only hear, but one that you taste.
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