As Women’s Month draws to a close, today is the perfect moment to recognise the incredible women around the country who continue to keep the SA.Chefs Women in Culinary movement alive.
To our Regional Chairladies thank you for your dedication, leadership and commitment to creating spaces where women in our industry can connect, grow, be heard and be represented.
What makes your contribution even more meaningful is that you do this voluntarily, driven by your passion for our industry and your belief in the women who are shaping its future. You give your time, energy and expertise because you believe that together, we can make a difference.
South Africa was the pioneer of the Women in Culinary initiative, and what began here has grown beyond our borders, inspiring similar movements internationally, including in the UAE.
That is something we should all be proud of.
To every Regional Chairlady: thank you for showing up, for leading, for creating opportunities and for keeping the vision alive in your region. Your work is the heartbeat of this movement.
Women in Culinary — South African born, proudly growing beyond our borders.
The South African Chefs Association
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www.sachefs.co.za | SA Chefs is a non-profit organisation representing chefs, cooks and caterers since 1974.
SA Chefs is a SAQA-recognized Professional Body and is a Level 2 BBBEE provider. Its core purpose is to set and maintain the highest level of culinary excellence, food standards and professionalism throughout South Africa. We accomplish these goals through the transfer of skills and the upliftment of individuals, our members… ‘The South African Chef’. One of our many objectives is to have a signif
What a day. What a celebration of women in culinary.
The second SA Chefs Women in Culinary Conference brought together an extraordinary community of women for a day filled with learning, meaningful connection, honest conversation, laughter and inspiration.
From the powerful speakers and panellists to the women who arrived exquisitely turned out and ready to own their space, every photograph tells the story of an occasion that was as stylish as it was significant.
Our MC, Thato Wesi, guided the programme beautifully, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere throughout the day, while Divine Sunset Venue provided an exquisite backdrop for women empowering women.
Our speakers brought their insights, experience and soul. Thank you to Chef Zana, Portia Mngomezulu Portia M Skin Solutions, Prof Hema Kesa Food Evolution Research Laboratory, sth, Lucia Nombulelo Mthiyane, Elsu Gericke Capsicum Culinary Studio, Kayla-Ann Osborn Kayla-Ann’s, Yonela Motloung Unilever Food Solutions SA, Dr Erica São João University of Johannesburg, Chef Zola Nkosi Zola Nosi Nkosi Homeware, Ronel Bezuidenhout Capital Hotel School Phinah Kodisang Soul City Institute Justin Swartz (JS Fitness), Komona Govender (AryaVedic), Natalie Knight The Capital Hotel, Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo City Lodge Hotels Limited and Thandeka Feliti (SA Chefs Operations Manager).
Our sincere thanks to our sponsors and partners — Avanti Coffee Company, Creation, Dilmah, Divine Sunset Venue, Ganya Creations, Lotus Blossom, M&R Stainless Steel Cookware and Kitchenware, Razia’s Pickle, Renault, Semelo, Sir Fruit, Tiger Brands Foodservice Solutions, Top Notch Wellness | Aesthetics | Spa, Tork, Unilever Food Solutions Future Menus, Unilever Professional and Verdant Grace — for helping to make this special occasion possible.
Thank you, too, to our exhibitors — Semelo, Verdant Grace, Top Notch Aesthetics and Ganya Creations — who added another dimension to the day with beautiful products and unique experiences for our guests to discover and enjoy.
Most importantly, thank you to every woman who joined us, shared her story, made a connection and contributed to the energy in the room.
This is what happens when women come together to learn, lead and lift one another.
Empower Her.
Inspiring Women. Building Leaders. Creating Legacy.
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27/08/2026
27/08/2026
As Women’s Month draws to a close and SA Chefs gears up for our second Women in Culinary Conference, we want to take a moment to recognise the incredible women around the country who continue to keep this movement alive.
To our Women in Culinary Regional Chairladies — thank you for your dedication, leadership and commitment to creating spaces where women in our industry can connect, grow, be heard and be represented.
What makes your contribution even more meaningful is that you do this voluntarily, driven by your passion for our industry and your belief in the women who are shaping its future. You give your time, energy and expertise because you believe that together, we can make a difference.
South Africa was the pioneer of the Women in Culinary initiative, and what began here has grown beyond our borders, inspiring similar movements internationally, including in the UAE.
That is something we should all be proud of.
To every Regional Chairlady: thank you for showing up, for leading, for creating opportunities and for keeping the vision alive in your region. Your work is the heartbeat of this movement.
Women in Culinary — South African born, proudly growing beyond our borders.
26/08/2026
Tomorrow’s SA Chefs Women in Culinary Conference is about more than inspiring conversations. Guests will also have the opportunity to discover and support women-led businesses offering beautiful, thoughtfully created products and experiences.
Meet four of the exhibitors joining us:
Mamolefe Ntebeng Sehume, founder of Semelo, a fashion brand rooted in authenticity, identity and cultural heritage.
Meagan Job, founder of Verdant Grace, a garden-inspired wellness space created for connection, learning and growth.
Ke_Lesego, founder and CEO of Top Notch Group, offering restorative wellness treatments, corporate wellness experiences and handcrafted self-care products.
Ayanda Mubima, founder of Ganya Creations, an African botanical wellness brand offering bath salts, bath teas, body butters, botanical oils and candle sand.
We look forward to welcoming them - and everyone joining us i tomorrow for a day dedicated to empowering women, building leaders and creating legacy.
SA Chefs Women in Culinary Conference
Thursday, 27 August 2026
Divine Sunset Venue, Midrand
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Learn More: https://www.unileverprofessional.co.za/products/7/food-safecleaning-products
25/08/2026
Catch Chef Zana live on SAFM today, to discuss the SA Chefs Women in Culinary movement, and our upcoming 2nd Women In Culinary Conference.
24/08/2026
LAST CHANCE TO BOOK: Only 20 places remain for the SA Chefs Women in Culinary Conference.
On 27 August, women from across hospitality, culinary, tourism, academia, corporate leadership and entrepreneurship will come together for a day of honest conversation, practical learning, networking and empowerment.
Under the theme EMPOWER HER – Inspiring Women. Building Leaders. Creating Legacy. – the conference will be guided by MC Thato Wesi of Wesmop.
Here’s the updated programme:
10:00–10:30 | REGISTRATION
Coffee and juice, networking, live music, photoshoot and partner activations
10:30–10:45 | OPENING
Welcome by Chef Zana Alvarado, SA Chefs Director and Women in Culinary Chair
10:45–11:15 | OPENING KEYNOTE
Empower Her: Owning Your Seat at Every Table
Portia Mngomezulu, Portia M Skin Solutions
11:15–11:35 | ACADEMIC EMPOWERMENT
Future-Proofing Your Career
Prof Hema Kesa, Food Evolution Research Laboratory, sth
11:35–11:45 | UNILEVER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVATION
11:45–12:30 | WOMEN WHO LEAD PANEL DISCUSSION
“What I wish someone had told me earlier.”
Led by Lucia Nombulelo Mthiyane
Featuring:
Elsu Gericke – Hospitality, Capsicum Culinary Studio
Kayla Osborne – Tourism, Kayla-Ann’s
Yonela Motloung – Corporate, Unilever Food Solutions SA
Dr Erica São João – Academia, University of Johannesburg
Chef Zola Nkosi – Entrepreneurship, Zola Nkosi Homeware
12:30–13:15 | NETWORKING LUNCH
13:20–13:35 | ENTREPRENEURIAL EMPOWERMENT
From Passion to Profit
Ronel Bezuidenhout, Capital Hotel School
13:35–14:00 | HEALTH & WELLNESS PANEL DISCUSSION
“You Cannot Pour from an Empty Cup”
Led by Lucia Mthiyane
Featuring:
Phinah Kodisang, Soul City Institute
Justin Swartz, JS Fitness
Komono Govender, AryaVedic
14:00–14:20 | FIRESIDE CONVERSATION
My Journey, My Story
Natalie Knight, The Capital Hotel
14:20–14:40 | CLOSING ADDRESS
Empowered Women Empower Women
Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, City Lodge Hotels Limited
14:40 | CLOSING & THANKS
Thandeka Feliti, SA Chefs Operations Manager
27 August 2026 | 10:00
Divine Sunset Venue, 79 Main Road, Midrand
Only 20 places are still available. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this powerful gathering.
Book now by emailing [email protected].
22/08/2026
A powerful reminder that sustainability in hospitality includes the people behind the pass.
Read more:
https://sachefs.co.za/3d-flip-book/sa-chef-magazine-issue-2-the-conscious-kitchen-april-2026/
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
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University Of Johannesburg, School Of Tourism And Hospitality
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Opening Hours
| Monday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 16:30 |