Women’s Month: A look at the rise of women in South Africa’s restaurant industry
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It’s Women’s Month!
While we are happy to celebrate talented chefs, restaurateurs and restaurant employees all year long, this month has been a great time to take a step back and recognise the incredible strides women have made to push the boundaries and build a more diverse, equitable restaurant industry.
The relationship between women and food is deeply rooted throughout history. Women were the gatherers of nomadic groups, holding the knowledge of what was edible and where to find it.
Women have traditionally held the role of the head chef in a household; but too often, this title does not extend beyond the home kitchen.
Today, women are absolutely a force to be reckoned with in the restaurant world, both as diners and as professionals. But there is no denying that we still have a long way to go.
Even though women chefs, as well as restaurant owners, are on the rise, the chef world is still a male-dominated industry. It is full of pressure and perfectionism - but despite that, it is a world where women are blazing their unique trail.
So, in the spirit of looking ahead to the future while honouring the past, we would like to shine the spotlight on some women who have made waves over recent years to change the industry for the better.
Melanie Paltoglou and Zunia Boucher-Myers
Melanie Paltoglou and Zunia Boucher-Myers of Avontuur Estate Restaurant are a force to be reckoned with. Boucher-Myers is a fine artist and photographer with a passion for people and desserts.
With two decades in the hospitality industry, she worked as the pastry chef at the Peninsula Bay Hotel as well as the pastry chef at Erinvale golf course and hotel, managed the Rose Terrace at Vergelegen, and worked as a chef in the film industry in Namibia.
Paltoglou’s career spans just over 30 years in the hospitality industry. She was once the sous chef at Erinvale Hotel and also opened the restaurant at Straightway Head Boutique Hotel.
In 2022, the chefs were named as one of the “Top 10 Women Chefs in the Cape”. In the same year, the restaurant was also named “Best Date Night Restaurant” in the “Kfm 30 Best in the Cape”.
Snegugu Kikine
Snegugu Kikine is the founder of The Next Table but many will know her as the powerhouse chef that put Wish on Florida on the map before it closed doors.
Born in Durban, her journey to becoming head chef started on the doorstep of completing her articles.
It was at that moment that she decided to turn her back on her ambitions to be the next chief justice of South Africa and follow her true passion for food by enrolling herself in the Capsicum Culinary Studio.
After graduating in record time, she embarked on an apprenticeship under the stewardship of esteemed chefs like Shaun McGee, David Hwangwa and David Manal, where she learned to define flavours.
Jessica Munisamy
Jessica Munisamy of Modern Tailors Restaurant fought hard for her place as a woman chef, defying the expectations of her family and the men dominating the industry.
Today, she heads up an Indian restaurant as the executive chef in Johannesburg.
This Indian restaurant in the heart of trendy Rosebank stands as a beacon of flavour, inviting you to join them on a gastronomic journey through the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine.
On her journey with food, Munisamy believes food brings families and people together.
Motheba Makhetha
Motheba Makhetha is the pastry sous chef at the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town. Born and bred in Johannesburg, she studied at the HTA School of Culinary Art.
Growing up her family ran multiple businesses in and around Soweto and that’s where her passion for not only cooking but making people happy through a simple service started.
In 2020, Makhetha opened her own business called Rafifi’s Cakery which specialises in bespoke cakes.
Being the best at what she does, she was the winner of the 2023 Eat Out Cacao Barry Dessert Award and recently travelled to the Cacao Barry Or Noir studio in France to create her unique chocolate: Kwena.
Jandri van Zyl and Nikki Symons
Jandri van Zyl and Nikki Symons are cake artists and founders of a Cape Town cake shop called Cake Canteen.
Cake Canteen emerged in August last year when Hertex Fabrics proposed opening a cake shop at its Bellville showroom. Van Zyl, founder of The Velvet Cake Co, and Symons, founder of Sweet LionHeart collaborated to create the best cake in the city of Cape Town.
Cake Canteen emerged in August last year when Hertex Fabrics proposed opening a cake shop at its Bellville showroom.
A collaboration with The Velvet Cake Co, Sweet LionHeart, and Cake Canteen was officially established on November 1.
Inspired by a desire for collaboration over competition, the cake shop caters to cake enthusiasts and those seeking a delightful sit-down experience.