BY NELIWE NGUBANE
MALKERNS – Four aspiring chefs will step out of the classroom and into one of Southern Africa’s biggest culinary stages after the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival opened applications for its 2026 Sous Chef Development Programme. The initiative will see successful applicants work alongside acclaimed chefs in a live festival kitchen, gaining invaluable professional experience ahead of this year’s festival.
The programme, which forms part of the preparations for the 2026 Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival, is searching for four emerging chefs who are eager to develop their craft under the mentorship of celebrated South African chef Mokgadi Itsweng. They will also work alongside leading regional guest chefs during the festival, immersing themselves in the fast-paced environment of a professional production kitchen.
More than just a festival opportunity, the programme has been designed to identify, mentor and equip the next generation of African culinary leaders with practical skills that cannot be replicated in a classroom. Participants will experience the pressure, pace and precision required to deliver high-quality cuisine at one of the region’s premier food and lifestyle events.
Organisers said successful applicants would receive hands-on training aimed at strengthening their technical cooking abilities while building confidence, professionalism and teamwork. The experience is expected to prepare participants for careers in the hospitality industry by exposing them to real-world kitchen operations and industry best practices.
The initiative also reinforces the festival’s commitment to developing local talent and creating meaningful opportunities for young people pursuing careers in the culinary arts. By working directly with accomplished chefs, participants will not only refine their cooking techniques but also gain valuable mentorship, industry networks and insight into what it takes to succeed in the profession.
The Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival has earned a reputation for celebrating African food, fashion, music and culture while creating platforms that empower creatives across the region. This year’s culinary theme, Nguni Foodways, will showcase the rich traditions, flavours and heritage of Nguni cuisine, making the Sous Chef Development Programme a fitting platform for emerging chefs to learn and grow.
Applications are now open through the festival’s online application portal, with organisers encouraging passionate and dedicated young chefs to seize the opportunity. The four successful applicants will gain an experience that could shape their culinary careers while contributing to one of Eswatini’s most celebrated lifestyle festivals.
(Courtesy Pic)
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