A culinary nomad and prodigy, chef Katlego Mlambo is intent on making a mark in the world one plate at a time. The Eldorado Park born culinary artist trained at Cape Town’s reputable Silwood School of Cookery and has had stints in international kitchens in Europe, Asia and the US.
A recipient of the 2019 Eat Out Nederburg Rising Star Award, he has honed his skills working under Luke Dale Roberts who is one of the best chefs in the country. Katlego will be taking up the position of head chef at Kudu restaurant in London.
“I love South Africa, but I do feel that for me to be the chef I want to be, I need to have that overseas experience.”
“The opportunity to work with one of the great up-coming chefs in the UK and to be part of his team is quite humbling for me. When I get a bit of a break, I’ve got the pleasure of going to Italy or Spain and eating at other Michelin star restaurants to keep stimulating and growing my mind.”
“My mind is constantly thinking, and I dream quite a bit. I have a notebook next to my bed, and sometimes I write down the things that I see in my dreams. In some cases, the dishes the next day come out 110% as first-time wonders.”
“I still want to own a restaurant one day. I’ll say this now because I breathe it and I see it: the day Michelin arrives in South Africa; I’ll be the first black chef to have a Michelin star. Furthermore, I would love to have a cooking show with Jamie Oliver. I think we would have good banter. The next thing is a cookbook which is currently in the works. It is about my life, my story, with a number of my favourite recipes.”
