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Chef Benny cooking his way to the top

Chef Benny Masekwameng started from the bottom now he is here; standing as one of South Africa’s best cooks.

Caught up with the man who masters the culinary life at 54 on Bath where one was treated to a scrumptious lunch.

Masekwameng holds three things to heart when judging food; that is texture, flavour and presentation.

His dishes from the starters to the main course are simple, eccentric and tasty.

The Masterchef judge and celebrity cook fought to be in the kitchen even when his parents wanted him elsewhere.

However nothing could stop him from reaching his ultimate dream.

He says he remembers how his dad supported him when he decided he will earn his living from a career and lifestyle that most men see as a women thing.

His mom felt he deserved an office job mostly seen to be the right occupation for a man.

“My mom said the kitchen is not a place for a man, she wanted an office job for me, but my dad gave me all the support.”

Three years later he says he still finds it surreal when people talk about him.

“I never get used to people talking about me. It is such a humble experience of an ongoing journey and love for food.

“I am now called a celeb chef, it was not easy but today here I am doing what I enjoy” Masekwameng says.

After making it this far as a cook in South Africa he feels there is hope for many that aspire to be chefs.

“Having this new found fame as a chef, I believe lots of upcoming cooks are in a good space, they can be trained by locally, making the future of SA food bright.”

One of his most ouch moments he seems to not forget is burning 10 kilos of oyster mushrooms.

“I remember being a masterchef contestant and I was trying to make oyster mushrooms and I burnt 10 kilos of them, and now they are one of my favourite dishes.”

Today Masakweng is making cover pages on magazines like Destiny Magazine where he shares more about where his journey started.

An impressive outcome for him as the first black chef featured on the magazine that stands for hard working men with an impact.

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