This Women’s Month We Celebrate Women in the Culinary Industry Doing Amazing Things

As women increasingly make their presence felt, the days of male-dominated kitchens are a thing of the past. There are more female chefs than ever before, and the numbers show no signs of slowing down. So, with August marking International Women’s Month, we couldn’t imagine a better time to salute some of our very own South African female chefs that have made it possible for women in the industry today.

A Multi-Award Winner and World’s Best Female Chef in 2017

The talent on our local shores is mind-blowing. South Africa is fortunate to have the cream-of-the- culinary-crop putting together menus at all the hottest spots in each province. Take Chef Chantel Dartnall, for instance. Chef-patron of Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient, Chantel has earned many local and international awards. Besides receiving the accolade as the world best female chef at The Best Chef Lady Awards in 2017, Chantel has also won the ‘Eat Out Top 10’ restaurants awards multiple times.

Blending Cheffing with Food Styling and Videography

With her fingers in food styling, catering and videography, and work experience on yachts as sous and head chef, Chef Jess Van Dyk is another example of the talent on our shores. Jess swiftly worked through the ranks to Head Chef at La Colombe in Cape Town. After getting La Colombe on the list as one of the best restaurants by the World 50 Best Restaurants, Jess moved on as Head Chef at the critically acclaimed Protégé in Franschhoek.

Bringing Pizzazz and Flavour to the Table

Bringing pizzazz and flavour to the table is Chef Kayla-Ann Osborn at The Chef’s Table in Durban. It’s not every day you get your restaurant rated as one of the best in the country. That was the case for Kayla-Ann Osborn, earning The Chef’s Table a spot as the 15th top restaurant in South Africa by the Eat Out Awards.

Going from JAN Pâtissièr to Head of Gåte’s Kitchen

Last but not least, we would like to solute Chef Nicole Loubser, a Namibian who went from Michelin-starred JAN pâtissièr to head of Gåte’s kitchen in Stellenbosch. A strong, confident and poised chef, Nicole represents what it means to rank her own needs last by conquering obstacles under high pressure, working long hours, and getting a few cuts and burns that come with working long hours.

At Chefs Training & Innovation Academy, we enjoy encouraging our students to shine with inspiration. Offering a top-quality culinary academic platform where aspiring foodies turn into industry-ready professionals, we have campuses in Centurion, Stellenbosch, Durban and Nelspruit, and we also offer online courses.