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.
Ayanda Thabethe is a multifaceted powerhouse hailing from South Africa, recognized for her diverse talents and magnetic presence in the realms of television hosting, entrepreneurship, and modeling. As a distinguished brand ambassador for several global titans, Ayanda seamlessly embodies sophistication, elegance, and professionalism, making her a sought-after figure in both the entertainment and business spheres. […]
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 […]
Nobukhosi Dlamini is an influential figure in the technology sector, specializing in innovation, data protection, enterprise information management, cybersecurity, corporate IT, and agile transformation. Her expertise spans over two decades, during which she has become a recognized leader in driving digital transformation and cybersecurity across global organizations. As a sought-after speaker and advocate for inclusive […]
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 […]
Letshego Zulu is a renowned South African event emcee, published author, and keynote speaker, widely recognized for her poise, eloquence, and powerful storytelling. With an innate ability to connect deeply with audiences, Letshego has graced the stage at numerous high-profile events, blending her multifaceted experiences with an engaging, compassionate style. A well-known public figure, she […]
Lerato Ditshego is a dynamic force in the business world, wielding her expertise as a Business Woman and Director of two successful ventures: Eccentrics Visual Arts Agency and Ruby stone boutique hotel. With a multifaceted skill set encompassing facilitation, speaking, content production, and podcast hosting, Lerato embodies the epitome of entrepreneurial prowess. Her journey began […]
Nhlanhla Nene served as the Minister of Finance of South Africa under President Jacob Zuma from 25 May 2014 until his controversial removal on 9 December 2015, and under President Cyril Ramaphosa from 27 February 2018 until his resignation on 9 October 2018 He had been a Member of Parliament since 1999. He was appointed […]
Palesa Mosiea epitomizes the essence of resilience and achievement. As a dynamic speaker, she delves into multifaceted topics including entrepreneurship, embracing change, the power of dreams, overcoming challenges, women empowerment, leadership, image and branding, confidence and assertiveness, as well as health and fitness. With a compelling narrative rooted in her personal journey, Palesa inspires audiences […]
These 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
