The South African Chefs Association
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www.sachefs.co.za | SA Chefs is a non-profit organisation representing chefs, cooks and caterers since 1974.
SA Chefs is a SAQA-recognized Professional Body and is a Level 2 BBBEE provider. Its core purpose is to set and maintain the highest level of culinary excellence, food standards and professionalism throughout South Africa. We accomplish these goals through the transfer of skills and the upliftment of individuals, our members… ‘The South African Chef’. One of our many objectives is to have a signif
30/05/2026
“In the culinary landscape, talent is just the baseline.”
Beyond the hype, beyond the trends and beyond the spotlight — Chef Raiyen Chetty shares the discipline, mindset and resilience required to grow in the culinary industry.
Read the latest edition of SA Chefs Magazine:
https://sachefs.co.za/3d-flip-book/sa-chef-magazine-issue-2-the-conscious-kitchen-april-2026/
29/05/2026
🇿🇦 Next Stop: Luxembourg! 🇿🇦
After an extensive National Call to Action, rigorous National Trials, and a thorough panel-led elimination process, we are incredibly proud to officially announce the new Junior Team Training Squad for Team Masakane!
These culinary rising stars are about to embark on an intensive training programme, dedicating their passion, skills, and hard work to represent South Africa on the global stage at the prestigious Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg.
Please join us in celebrating our 2026 squad members, their working establishments, and the incredible culinary schools that helped shape their journeys:
🧑🍳 Meet the Junior Squad:
- Elizabeth Ncube – Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa (HTA School of Culinary Art)
- Makgobokele Nchabeleng – Private Chef (CTIA - Chefs Training & Innovation Academy)
- Ethan Joseph – Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa (FBI Chef School - Bloemfontein)
- Loyiso Mlondo – 54 on Bath Hotel (Capsicum Culinary Studio)
- Lesedi Morudi – Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg - (Capsicum Culinary Studio)
- Thando Ntsele – University of Johannesburg (Soweto Chefs Academy)
- Unami Binda – Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg - (Capsicum Culinary Studio)
- Phenyo Pooe – 54 on Bath Hotel (The Professional Cooking Academy)
- Callum Condie – The Swiss Hotel School South Africa (SHS)
- Pholoso Sebola – Johannesburg Marriott Hotel Melrose Arch (HTA School of Culinary Art)
🏫 Representing Excellence in Culinary Education
This exceptional squad showcases the high standard of training provided by South Africa's top culinary institutions. The schools represented by this year's team include:
- Capsicum Culinary Studio (Represented by 3 squad members)
- HTA School of Culinary Art (Represented by 2 squad members)
- Soweto Chefs Academy
- The Professional Cooking Academy
- CTIA (Chefs Training & Innovation Academy)
- FBI Chef School
- SHS (The Swiss Hotel School South Africa)
🧠 Guided by Our 2026 Coaches
Behind every great team is an extraordinary coaching lineup. We are honoured to have our Coaching Team leading the squad to victory:
- Chef Donaldson Mathebula (NH Johannesburg Sandton) – Head Coach (pictured)
- Chef Catherine Adonis (Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa) – Pastry Coach (pictured)
- Chef Marcus Gerike (Urchin Journey Restaurant at Hyatt Regency Cape Town) – Head Technical Coach (not pictured)
- Chef Trevor Boyd (City Lodge Hotels Limited) – Special Advisor to the Coaches and Management Team (not pictured)
- Chef Pieter Malan (Mount Grace Hotel & Spa) - Team Manager & Competitions Director
- Chef Mahlomola Thamae (TM Innovations) - Head of Team Talent
🏨 A Very Special Thanks to Our Hospitality Partners
We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to NH Johannesburg Sandton for accommodating the team during the national trials. We are incredibly grateful for your hospitality; it is through great partnerships like this that we ensure the future of South Africa's culinary ambassadors remains vibrant and alive!
🤝 Partner With Our Squad
Thank you to all our corporate partners that have already reached out to help this 100% South African-led and South African squad!
If you want to be part of this incredible journey, big or small, please reach out to Thandeka Fetili at [email protected] or [email protected].
The road to Luxembourg will demand precision, creativity, and resilience, but we have no doubt that this team will fly the South African flag high. Let’s show them our support in the comments! 👇
🇿🇦 Meet the new Junior Team Masakhane Training Squad! 🇿🇦
Following a nationwide call to action, rigorous trials and a panel-led selection process, we are proud to announce the chefs who will begin their journey towards representing South Africa at the 2026 Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg.
🧑🍳 Elizabeth Ncube – Saxon Hotel (HTA School of Culinary Art)
🧑🍳 Makgobokele Nchabeleng – Private Chef (CTIA)
🧑🍳 Ethan Joseph – Saxon Hotel (FBI Chef School)
🧑🍳 Loyiso Mlondo – 54 on Bath (Capsicum Culinary Studio)
🧑🍳 Lesedi Morudi – Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff (Capsicum Culinary Studio)
🧑🍳 Thando Ntsele – University of Johannesburg (Soweto Chefs Academy)
🧑🍳 Unami Binda – Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff (Capsicum Culinary Studio)
🧑🍳 Phenyo Pooe – 54 on Bath (The Professional Cooking Academy)
🧑🍳 Callum Condie – Swiss Hotel School (SHS – Swiss Hotel School South Africa)
🧑🍳 Pholoso Sebola – Marriott Melrose Arch (HTA School of Culinary Art)
A huge thank you to our coaches, hospitality partners and the culinary schools that continue to nurture South Africa's future culinary talent.
The road to Luxembourg starts now. 🇿🇦✨
28/05/2026
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28/05/2026
Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating. 🌙✨
May this special occasion bring joy to your homes, warmth to your tables and meaningful moments shared with family, friends and community. Food has a unique way of bringing people together, and today we celebrate the generosity, gratitude and connection that sit at the heart of every shared meal.
Wishing you a blessed and joyful Eid al-Adha. 👨🍳❤️
27/05/2026
“African cuisine is not something we want for; it is something we create together.”
In his foreword to the latest edition of SA Chefs Magazine, SA Chefs President Chef Coo Pillay reflects on leadership, mentorship, collaboration and the future of African cuisine.
Read the full digital magazine here:
https://sachefs.co.za/3d-flip-book/sa-chef-magazine-issue-2-the-conscious-kitchen-april-2026/
🚨 URGENT: Junior Team National Trials Entry Check
We would like to thank everyone who submitted an entry for the Junior Team tryouts happening today at the NH Hotel Sandton.
To ensure everyone gets a fair chance and no entry has been missed, please read carefully:
⚠️ If you have NOT been contacted by the selection committee by now, please double-check your entry immediately.
Please reach out to one of the following contacts to verify your submission:
Chef Pieter Malan: 📱 060 920 1886
Chef Donaldson Madubela: 📱 082 748 6310
Email: ✉️ [email protected]
This is your opportunity to be part of the best, and we want to make sure everyone is accounted for. Please double-check your status right away!
Good luck and congratulations to all the talented chefs participating in the national trials today. See you at NH Hotel Sandton!
26/05/2026
Huge congrats to Nicci Robertson Reinventhealth for this incredible achievement. We are honoured and proud to have been involved in a small way in safoodstories. (Chefs) hats off to Nicci for this impactful telling of the stories that have shaped South African food, and to Bidfood South Africa for sharing the vision.
Are you ready to represent the spirit, flavour, and excellence of South Africa on the global stage? The South African Chefs Association is officially calling for the best young culinary talent in the country to trial for the National Junior Team!
We are looking for the next generation of culinary icons to compete at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg this November. Do you have the skill, the discipline, and the heart to wear the green and gold?
🏆 The Criteria
To be considered for the squad, you must meet the following:
Age: Under 25 years old (for the duration of 2026)
Commitment: Must attend 4 consecutive training days every month until November
Support: Your workplace must undersign a release form supporting your training commitments
Membership: Must be a member in good standing with SA Chefs (fees paid in full)
Portfolio: A comprehensive food portfolio including recommendation letters from your Executive Chef and GM/Principal
Skills: Fluent in English and in good health
Edge: Preference is given to chefs with a podium finish at SA Chefs-endorsed competitions in the last 2 years
📅 The Trials
When: 27th & 28th May 2026
Where: NH Hotel, Sandton
Note: Transport and accommodation costs are for the candidate's own account. Invitation to trials does not guarantee a spot on the team.
📧 How to Apply
Think you have what it takes? Send your Expression of Interest, Food Portfolio, and Basic CV to:
📩 [email protected]
Once received, the mandatory application kit will be sent to you
🤝 Sponsorship Opportunities
Be part of the journey! To sponsor Team Masakhane and support our junior chefs as they take on the world, please reach out to
📩 [email protected]
24/05/2026
An evening of celebration, recognition and the future of South African culinary talent awaits. Join us for the SA Chefs Western Cape Gala & Awards Dinner as we bring the The Africa Food Show to a memorable close.
Enjoy a three-course dinner, entertainment and the Western Cape Committee Awards, while witnessing one of the most anticipated moments of the year – the announcement of the new Junior Team Masakhane, who will represent South Africa at the Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg this November. 🇿🇦👨🍳
📍 Southern Sun The Cullinan, Cape Town
📅 Friday, 12 June 2026
🕡 6:30pm – late
🎟 R900 pp
🤵Formal or chefs whites
🍹Cash bar
Limited seats available. Bookings close 9 June. Email [email protected] or call Precious on 078 864 6744
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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Address
University Of Johannesburg, School Of Tourism And Hospitality
Johannesburg
2092
Opening Hours
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 16:30 |