“I believe in organic ingredients, as well as using the best local produce”
This is the basis of her culinary creations as well as crediting her parents who encouraged her passion and inspiration for perfection in the hospitality industry as they made every mealtime interesting and exciting,” says Chef Lebo, the new Executive Chef at Granny Mouse.
Lebo hails from Cape Town, but grew up in Johannesburg, and with over 10 years’ experience under her chef’s apron, this seasoned Chef initially graduated from the renowned City & Guilds chef school, Capsicum Culinary Studio in 2014 where she completed her Level 2 diploma in food preparation, NQF Level 2 professional patisserie, international level and graduated with Merit
After she graduated, Chef Lebo was hungry for a challenge, so, she packed a suitcase and travelled the overseas to gain international experience within the industry.
Having worked at the Hilton Group Hotels Double Tree in Guangzhou China, Chef Lebo was invited to participate on the award-winning cooking television show Top Chef where she came in the top 10.
Having had this experience, doors began to open, with her working with big brands Whirlpool SA and Kitchen Aid, where she was appointed as a brand ambassador working on large product content shoots and consumer brand awareness campaigns.
She has been featured in many recipe and lifestyle features with House & Home magazine and True Love Magazine just to mention a few. This launched her career into food styling and content creating.
In 2016 she launched her own private chef and catering company, having cooked for prominent families one of which is the current US Ambassador.
Her work includes that of curating and planning large scale events, such as Hope Craft Gin Penhouse Experience, Decorex Media Room and all whilst still working as head sous-chef at restaurants on a seasonal residency and where she also remodeled chef workstations, improved menus for bars and restaurants one of which was the Blu Flame Bar and Grill in Johannesburg, as well as filling her time working on corporate event cooking groups.
In 2019 Chef Lebo opened her own private cooking studio in the trendy dining hot-spot Maboneng where she offered her clients cooking classes and intimate five-star dining experiences.
She has trained and worked with many small culinary businesses and assisted young chefs develop their products and menus to broaden their skills.
In 2020 Covid-19 hit, and Chef Lebo unfortunately had to close her all her business doors and decided to relocate to Durban in 2021.
This did nothing to deter her, as she went on to work as a private chef, as well as entering into contract with a hospitality firm assisting them with kitchen design, the building thereof, as well as menu formulation, cost development and procedure structure for three UKZN canteen restaurants in and around Durban before making Granny Mouse Country House & Spa her new home, set in the picturesque Midlands.
When she is not in the kitchen, Chef Lebo loves experimenting on new culinary delights and now that she is living in the Midlands area, she is up for exploring and finding the best fresh local produce to introduce to the menu at Granny Mouse.
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