Zola Nene culinary career spans over 10 years and started during her second-year study gap in England. After studying BCom. Law for two years, Chef Zola Nene realised that it was not the career path she wanted to pursue and so applied for a UK holiday working visa and ventured off to England to discover […]
Zola Nene culinary career spans over 10 years and started during her second-year study gap in England. After studying BCom. Law for two years, Chef Zola Nene realised that it was not the career path she wanted to pursue and so applied for a UK holiday working visa and ventured off to England to discover what it was she really wanted to do.
“I’ve always been interested in food so I decided to look for a job in a professional kitchen,” reminisces Zola. “I worked in a brasserie in Cheshire for two years, first as a hot section chef and then as the head pastry chef.
I have really paid my dues!” After Zola Nene two-year stint in England, she returned to South Africa and immediately enrolled at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch. During her studies, she had the opportunity to work with some top local chefs such as Margot Janse of Le Quartier François and Chris Erasmus of Foliage Restaurant.
And then, after specialising in Food Media in her third year of studies, Zola perfected her trade as a food assistant at a leading food and lifestyle magazine for six months.
After graduating, Zola moved to Johannesburg in 2010 and worked at a large catering company as its catering manager.
It was around that time that the Expresso Show, a weekday, national morning breakfast TV show, was conceptualised and the producers offered her a position as its food stylist and has since risen to the position of resident chef on the show.
In February 2016, Zola released her first published cook book titled Simply Delicious, which is available at all good book stores nationwide.
In 2017, the book won the best English cookbook by a Celebrity Chef in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.
Zola Nene response to hearing about the award was that “… it truly is the best feeling to know that something so personal to me is considered special by other people too.”
Zola Nene develops recipes for brands and a variety of publications, is available as an emcee and food judge, and works as a food stylist.
Simply Delicious – Zola Nene In her own words, she says, ‘Food has always been a huge part of my life; important occasions were always marked with a feast of some sort…’ this book chronicles my food journey thus far – how it started and what has shaped me into the chef I am today.’
And that’s exactly what Simply Delicious is all about; it’s Zola’s culinary career told through her recipes, interspersed with snippets and perspectives of her life journey, including tributes to the people who have inspired and influenced her cooking style and explaining the reason for certain culinary choices that she has made.
If one had to describe Zola’s personality in a single idea, it would be ‘irrepressible joy’, which is the thread running through this journey as well as the state evoked by her delicious dishes.
Her food philosophy is very simple – cooking is for everyone. With easy-to-follow instructions, the recipes will ensure that anyone can produce mouth-watering results.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and subscribe to our YouTube channel
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
With a passion for fostering meaningful connections and driving positive change across Africa, Nizenande Machi stands as a beacon of innovation in the realm of transformative leadership. As a Relationship Systems Strategist, she seamlessly blends her expertise in human-centered frameworks with a profound ability to engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Nizenande’s journey towards advancing […]
Captain Londy Ngcobo is a distinguished figure in the maritime industry, acclaimed as a Global Ship Navigator and Africa’s First Female Dredge Master. Her unwavering passion for unlocking Africa’s oceanic potential has defined her illustrious career spanning over 13 years. With a robust educational background in Maritime Studies and extensive experience in International Merchant shipping, […]
Alistair Mokoena is a trailblazing leader and a prominent figure in South Africa’s business and digital transformation landscape. As the Country Director for Google South Africa, he drives innovation and technological progress across industries, empowering businesses to harness the power of digital solutions. A seasoned expert in leadership, strategy, and digital transformation, Alistair is a […]
Josina Machel holds an MSc degree in Sociology (Gender) from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a Bachelor of Social Science, Sociology and Political Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Following a horrific domestic violence attack that left her blind in one eye, Ms. Machel founded the Kuhluka Movement, […]
With a rich background in strategy and leadership, Kgadi Mmanakana brings a wealth of experience to the table. Having worked with diverse organizations across industries, she possesses a deep understanding of the dynamics of modern business landscapes. Kgadi’s expertise lies in crafting innovative strategies that not only adapt to change but thrive amidst it. Her […]
Siphiwe Moyo is a dynamic and engaging keynote speaker, celebrated for his infectious energy and powerful presence on stage. With a career rooted in leadership development, organizational behavior, and personal motivation, Siphiwe has become a highly sought-after voice across Africa and beyond. He specializes in transforming the way organizations inspire their people, delivering high-impact messages […]
Amanda du-Pont is an actress, television presenter, and commercial and fitness model, voice over artist and business woman. Amanda has acted on numerous television shows such as Muvhango, Generations, A place called Home, City Sesla, Intersexions, End Game, Task Force, Tarryn & Sharon, Kowethu, Mzansi Love and Single Guyz. Amanda has also acted on CBS […]
Shakes Dlutu, affectionately known as “Shakes,” has devoted his life to empowering others through motivation, emotional intelligence, and youth engagement. With over a decade of experience in the fields of personal development, mentorship, and life skills, Shakes has become a sought-after motivational speaker for his unique ability to connect with audiences from all walks of […]
No results available
ResetThese remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel