Chef Tshepiso Semenya

Private Chef in Cape Town

Hey there!

I’m Chef Tshepi, and I’m excited to bring a personalized touch to your culinary journey.

Food is about more than just nourishment—it’s about connection. Whether it’s a family gathering, an intimate dinner, or a corporate event, my passion is in creating meals that bring people together, spark conversations, and make lasting memories.

As a professionally trained chef with over nine years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of cooking for people from all over the world. Each table I’ve set, each dish I’ve crafted, has shaped my approach to cooking, making it as much about the experience as it is about the food.

I believe in the magic of fresh, locally sourced ingredients and flavors from around the world, thoughtfully prepared to reflect your unique tastes and preferences. Let’s turn your next meal into a moment that’s filled with love, laughter, and exceptional cuisine.

For me, cooking is...

about creating moments of connection, where flavors, stories, and people come together to share something truly meaningful.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook by watching my gran and exploring diverse cultures through travel, discovering how food connects us. Oh, and Culinary School, haha

A cooking secret...

letting the ingredients speak for themselves, enhancing their natural flavors with simple, thoughtful techniques

My menus

The Global Glaze

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Tuna Tataki with Dukkah Crust, Ponzu Drizzle & Microgreens

Confit Duck Bao with Hoisin Tamarind Glaze and Pickled Fennel

Kofta Arancini with Harissa Tomato Fondue and Fresh Herbs

Grilled Oyster Mushrooms with Garlic Emulsion & Lemon Crumb

FIRST COURSE

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MAIN COURSE

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Rendang-Style Beef Short Rib with Fragrant Coconut Risotto

Rose Harissa Chicken Supreme with Saffron Potato Puree & Fennel Salad

Miso-Butter Grilled Cape Linefish with Burnt Corn Salsa & Wasabi Pea Purée

Charred Cauliflower Steak with Smoked Romesco, Pickled Grapes & Almond Crumb (v)

DESSERT

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Black Cardamom Chocolate Fondant with Rose Ice Cream

Rooibos Chiffon Cake with Ginger Syrup and Pistachio Cream

Mango Lassi Panna Cotta with Puffed Rice & Lime Leaf Dust

Sesame Halva Mille-Feuille with White Chocolate Drizzle

Mediterranean Flame

STARTER

All inclusive

Biltong & Droëwors Board - Paired with creamy blue cheese dip, marinated olives, and pickled vegetables

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Whole grilled linefish with lemon, garlic and oregano

Flame-grilled sirloin steak with rosemary and sea salt

Greek village salad with feta, olives and red onion

Roasted Mediterranean vegetable salad with balsamic glaze

Grilled Corn on the Cob Coated in chili-lime butter and fresh coriander

Warm pita and flatbreads with hummus, tzatziki and olive tapenade

Marinated olives and sun-dried tomatoes

DESSERT

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Lemon Posset – Creamy citrus dessert served with a shortbread biscuit

Amarula Crème Brûlée with Koeksister Crumb

Grilled peaches with mascarpone and crushed pistachio

Gourmet Trail Through The Cape

STARTER

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Beetroot Carpaccio with Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts: Thinly sliced roasted beetroot with creamy goat cheese, candied walnuts, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Wine Pairing: Sauvignon Blanc - Springfield Life from Stone

Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad with Maple-Balsamic Vinaigrette

Cape Malay Curried Butternut Soup - Served with a dollop of sour cream, fresh coriander, and croutons

FIRST COURSE

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MAIN COURSE

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Herb-Crusted Lamb Rack: Accompanied by creamy mashed potatoes, sautéed seasonal vegetables, and a rich red wine reduction

Pan-Seared Sea Bass: Served with a saffron risotto, grilled asparagus, and a lemon butter sauce

Classic Ribeye Steak: Grilled ribeye cooked to preference, served with creamy mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a red wine jus

DESSERT

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Baked Cheesecake with Crème Chantily - Classic New York-style cheesecake served with a mixed berry compote and fresh mint

Cheesecake with a whipped cream and a choice of from Strawberry, lemon, or chocolate topping

Let’s have a braai

STARTER

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FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Boerewors - Traditional South African sausage, coiled and grilled to juicy perfection

Chicken Skewers - Marinated in a sticky barbecue sauce

Chuck Steak - A juicy cut of beef grilled to perfection over open flames. This hearty favourite is seasoned with a bold, smoky dry rub and finished with a tangy tomato relish that adds just the right kick

Roasted baby potato salad

Fire-grilled sweet corn in garlic butter

Braai Roasted Butternut & Chickpea Salad Served with red onions, spinach, and a tangy tahini dressing

Buttery Pap (Maize Meal) Served with a tomato and onion relish

Chakalaka - a carrot based side dish with bean. Served spicy or mild

DESSERT

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Amarula Malva Pudding with Homemade Vanilla Custard

Brownie bites – with crushed peppermint crisp on top

Dark Chocolate Mousse Cups with Fresh Berries

The Chef’s Whim

STARTER

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Baked Feta with Sweet Peppers, Garlic, and Flatbread

Roasted Cauliflower with Caper Butter & Smoked Almonds

Chilli Corn Ribs with Lime Crème Fraîche

Herbed Lentil Fritters with Tahini Yogurt

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lamb Kofta with Herbed Couscous, Labneh & Mint Oil

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey & Collard Greens

Spiced Yellowtail with Green Herb Salsa, Charred Corn & Coconut Rice

Roast Cauliflower Steak with Harissa Chickpeas & Cashew Cream

DESSERT

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Dark Chocolate Ganache Tart with Sea Salt & Cardamom Cream

Spiced Sweet Potato Pie with Marshmallow Meringue

Lemon Verbena Panna Cotta with Granadilla Glaze

Amarula Ice Cream with Salted Caramel Swirl

Local Es Lekker

STARTER

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Butternut Soup with a Touch of Nutmeg

Garden Salad with a Tangy Vinaigrette

Fire-Roasted Corn Salad with Peppadews & Feta

Mini Vetkoek with Spiced Lentil Mince (v)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Slow-Cooked Lamb Stew with Herbed Pap

Lemon & Herb Chicken Thighs with Pumpkin Rice

Baked Hake with Garlic, Olive Oil & Cherry Tomatoes

Creamy Samp & Bean Risotto with Wild Mushrooms & Fresh Herbs (v)

DESSERT

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Warm Malva Pudding with Custard

Mini Koeksisters

Fruit Salad with Honey & Mint

Milk Tart Squares with a Cinnamon Dusting

Soul of the Soil

STARTER

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Burnt Butter Butternut Soup with Rooibos Cream and Toasted Seed Sprinkle (v)

Cape Bredie Croquettes with Tomato Jam and Micro Coriander (v)

Chakalaka Cured Trout with Pickled Onion, Dill, and Corn Crumb

Vetkoek Sliders with Slow-Cooked Lamb Neck and Herbed Labneh

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

6-Hour Karoo Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary Jus, Flavour-Rich Mielie Meal (slow-stirred with stock, herbs & cheese), and Sweetcorn Foam

Free-Range Chicken Roulade Stuffed with Spinach and Peppadew, served with Pap Fondant and Pickled Baby Carrots

Pan-Seared Linefish with Umami Butter, Charred Leek Mash, and Citrus Beurre Blanc

Umngqusho Risotto with Roasted Garlic, Crispy Sage and Roasted Baby Butternut Petals

DESSERT

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Amarula Crème Brûlée with Koeksister Crumb and Gold Leaf

Rooibos & Naartjie Cheesecake with a Ginger Snap Base

Mini Milk Tart Pavlova with Honeyed Stone Fruit

Cape Citrus Sorbet Trio with Candied Peels and Shortbread Dust

South Africa

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Braai Braised Vegetable Mini Bunny Chow: Mini hollowed-out bread loaves filled with spicy bean curry, garnished with coriander and served with a side of cucumber raita

Mini Braai Broodjies - Miniature versions of the classic toasted sandwich with cheddar, tomato, and onion grilled over the fire

Mini Vetkoek with Curried Mince Lightly fried vetkoek filled with spiced mince, topped with a dollop of sour cream

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Butter Chicken – Creamy, mildly spiced tomato-based curry with tender chicken pieces, served with garlic butter naan

6-Hour Karoo Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary Jus, Flavour-Rich Mielie Meal (slow-stirred with stock, butter and herbs), and Sweetcorn

Braised beef Potjie - Slow-cooked beef with carrots, baby potatoes, and green beans in a rich tomato and Cape herb sauce. Served with steamed basmati rice and topped with a sprig of fresh rosemary

Braai Platter - A selection of lamb chops, roasted lemon & herb chicken, fire-roasted line fish served with creamy mashed potatoes

DESSERT

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Classic Malva Pudding and a Koeksister, with Warm Custard

Peppermint Crisp Tart A South African favorite with layers of creamy caramel, crushed tennis biscuits, and peppermint crisp

Milk Tart - A traditional South African custard tart with cinnamon, served with a coconut crumble

Chocolate cake - Traditional ouma’s decadent chocolate cake, with chocolate ganache filling

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Chef Tshepiso's reviews

4.5

•

71 services

Hiring Chef Tshepiso for my partner's birthday weekend was one of the best decisions I've made. From start to finish, she was absolutely phenomenal. I truly cannot recommend her enough. What stood out immediately was her energy. She is warm, friendly, and a genuine joy to have around, while still being completely respectful of our privacy and space. She struck that perfect balance of being present without being intrusive, which made the whole experience feel effortless and comfortable. She was punctual, patient, professional, and incredibly accommodating. Our schedule wasn't always perfectly on time, and she handled every adjustment with grace and zero fuss. She also considered my pregnancy while creating the meals without me having to ask much, that level of thoughtfulness and care meant the world to me. Beyond the logistics, what really moved me was her passion. You can feel it in every dish she creates. She was also generous enough to educate us about the meals and ingredients, which added such a meaningful layer to the experience. It felt less like a service and more like being welcomed into something special. As for the food, it was outstanding. I've eaten at quite a few restaurants recently, and honestly, her meals surpassed all of them. That's not a small thing to say. My partner, who is quite a picky eater, not only enjoyed every meal but was genuinely happy and appreciative throughout the entire weekend. That alone says everything. If you're looking for a private chef who brings talent, heart, professionalism, and wonderful energy into your home, look no further. We will absolutely be booking her again.

Absolutely amazing experience

Tshepi send her business partner Mpho Mile and the whole experience was wonderful. Mpho cooked a lovely meal, was really pleasant to talk to and she was wonderful with our daughter.

We had an amazing evening and the best experience. The food was super delicious and Tshepi was very lovely.

Excellent and exceptional service

Chef Tshepi was so amazing! She totally got our brief and really listened to any thoughts and comments we had and was super helpful. She made changes to the menu when asked and even printed out the menus on fancy paper! It was our first time in Cape Town and we really wanted to experience South African cuisine and Chef delivered perfectly. I would highly recommend.

Absolut empfehlenswert!

Chef Tshepiso gave us an amazing experience!

tshepi did a excellent job!

Chef Tshepi is an absolute gem. She cooked for us a traditional South African family meal during our first visit to SA. The food was delicious and plentiful. There was not a single dish we didn’t like. Highly recommend!