Private Chef Kabelo Mabena

I am a professional Private Chef with a team that has a decade worth of experience in the culinary & hospitality industry. My culinary career started when I was 14 working on weekends as a waiter. Slowly my passion & love for food grew helping me progress into the kitchen being a commis chef by 17yrs. By the time I was 19 I got the opportunity to study and I then obtained a Diploma in Culinary Arts from City & Guilds in 2016. To date I have worked for more than 8 restaurants including Maximillian, J.Somethin, River Place Lodge & Guy Fieri to name a few. Graced with the opportunity to travel for work on a cruise liner, I was fortunate to have travelled over 10 countries experiencing their food cuisine & culture.

With a strong and passionate personality my team and I do everything with heart for what we do.

I believe the food matters, and so does the experience.

For me, cooking is...

A gateway into different worlds where you speak with scent and taste. Cooking is how we express art. The plate is as canvas.

I learned to cook at...

A beautiful lodge out in Hennops named River Place. I further went to study at Capsicum and obtained a Diploma in Culinary Arts.

A cooking secret...

Is to try new things. Limiting your self to the book is what makes you a cook, what makes a chef is breaking boundaries.

My menus

Italian pasta meals

STARTER

All inclusive

White Bean Crostini with Anchovy & Lemon Salsa

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Tetrazzini served with Caesar Salad & shredded Sautéed Brussel Sprouts

Creamy Bacon & Broccoli Pasta served with Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breast and Burrata Salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pumpkin gingersnap tiramisu

Zabaglione with strawberries

Mediterranean Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Assorted Crackers with Fig & Assorted Cheese

Spicy Prawn Skewers served with Sweet & Sour Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Gnocchi with Steak Bites and Marinara Dipping Sauce

Griddled Chicken with Quinoa Greek salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mediterranean beef stew with drop dumplings served alongside maple roasted butternut squash, creamy mushroom spinach

Mediterranean Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Chicken Thighs, Charred Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate Molasses & Lemon Pesto Seasonal Vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Mousse with Berry Coulis

Traditional Tiramisu Fresh Fruit Salsa

Braai Menu 1

STARTER

All inclusive

Korean beef lettuce wraps

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

SIDES/VEG: Avocado & Tomato Salad; Creamy Mushroom Spinach; Sweetcorn & Tomato Relish

STARCH: Herb Butter Basmati Rice, Pap & Garlic Bread

PROTEIN: Sticky Asian Pork ribs, Smoked Whole Chicken & Boerewors

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tropical Grilled Fruit Kababs with Fruit Ice Cream & Cinnamon Honey Glaze

Christmas Feast

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Balsamic and honey glazed duck breast with cinnamon souffle

Shrimp fritters with lime mayonnaise

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Smoked pork belly roast with cranberry sauce, stuffed turkey served with red cabbage slaw, broccoli and cauliflower casserole, creamy parmesan mash, caeser salad and garlic bread

Stuffed roast turkey, garlic butter lamb chops served with rosemary roasted carrots, crispy smashed bacon potatoes, beet and mozzarella salad and garlic bread

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream and almonds

Mango parfait with coconut sorbet

A Trip Around Asian

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Sushi Platters

Steamed Bao Buns with Protein of choice (Pepper Corn Beef, Sweet & Sour Chicken, Pulled Pork or Duck) and Citrus Asian Slaw

Tsukune with Caramelised Soy Sauce

Korean Fried Chicken in Lettuce Wraps

FIRST COURSE