Deborah Banda
Lentswe Bhengu, born and raised in KwaZulu Natal, started off plying his trade in the investment finance space. After 5 years in the industry, Lentswe traded in his suit and tie for a chef hat and spatula and in 2010 enrolled at The Culinary Academy in the Cape Winelands. After graduating, he quickly made a name for himself in the culinary scene, whipping up memorable creations in the kitchens of some of the finest restaurants. Pretty soon, his talent and passion for cooking opened new doors, one of which saw him embark on a journey to uncover the different tastes of Africa. His media production house has also made strides in digital, managing to successfully meld the kitchen with new media, via a critically acclaimed web series, a South African first. Chef Lentswe is a food festival, events and expos regular and has had some of his work commissioned abroad. He is also involved in chef organisations that hone and recognise the talents and skills of young, up and coming chefs.