Umlazi’s Nonzwakazi wins Capsicum bursary

Umlazi resident, Nonzwakazi Makhanya literally jumped for joy when it was announced that she was one of the recipients of a bursary from Capsicum Culinary Studio, South Africa’s leading culinary school.

To mark its 21st anniversary last year, Capsicum pledged to give away bursaries to the winners of its Culinaire Challenge competition. And it did just that when it awarded bursaries to 20 aspiring chefs who took part in a cook-off which was recently held at each of the school’s seven campuses across the country.

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Makhanya (25), who is currently running her own small business distributing lunches to call centres based in Umhlanga, will soon enrol at Capsicum’s Durban campus where she will study the school’s professional chef programme.

We caught up with her and asked her a few questions:

When and how did your interest in food and cooking start?

• I am from a big family that has always loved cooking and bonding over good food. Being a part of that from a young age inspired me to cook more, try different recipes and create beautiful dishes. I love every single moment of being in the kitchen. 

What made you want to study at Capsicum?

• A friend of mine told me about Capsicum and when I did some research, I discovered that it is one of the best schools in the country.

What does getting this bursary mean to you?

• It means everything to me. I was raised by a single mother with help from my grandmother and, as much as I wanted to study for a culinary career, I knew she wouldn’t be able to afford it. So now being able to study with my tuition fees covered is an honour. I thought it was going to be one of those unfulfilled dreams, but winning this bursary really is a game-changer.

What do you want to do after graduation?

• I want to travel overseas to get more experience in the culinary industry. 

Why do you think Capsicum chose you as one of the bursary recipients?

• I believe it was probably the dish that I created at the cook-off. The judges obviously saw something special in it. 

Who are your role models and mentors and why?

• My brother! He has done incredibly well for himself considering he didn’t even go to university and has created a name for himself in the industry he is in. He has shown me how to never give up but to be consistent in whatever you do in life,  always give it 100 percent, and even when you fail, get up and do it again and again. 

What would you like to be doing in five years’ time?

• I would like to be in Europe working as a chef on a superyacht.

Name five things always in your fridge or pantry

• Cheese, milk, meat, oil and onions.

What would be your last meal?

• Steak and mashed potatoes.

What do you not eat?

Do you have a favourite celebrity chef?

• It has to be as to be Chef Adam from Below Deck. He is very good at what he does, has worked on various yachts and has his own cookbook.