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
Ziyanda Ngcobo is a seasoned senior politics reporter at Newzroom Afrika, where her insightful coverage and incisive commentary on political affairs have solidified her reputation as a respected broadcaster and moderator. With a career deeply rooted in journalism, Ziyanda’s journey began at VOW FM (Voice of Wits), marking the inception of what would evolve into […]
Sechaba Gqeba, affectionately known as Sechaba G, is a dynamic force in South African media—a celebrated radio and television personality whose voice, presence, and message resonate far beyond the airwaves. With a career spanning over two decades, she brings a commanding presence to every stage, seamlessly blending her passion for storytelling with an authentic connection […]
Mogau Seshoene founded The Lazy Makoti in 2014 after leaving the corporate world to focus on her love for food, and on preserving South African cuisine and heritage. What began as lessons for a friend, a bride-to-be who was afraid of being labelled “The Lazy Makoti” (the lazy daughter-in-law) because she couldn’t cook, has evolved […]
Amanda Dambuza is the Chief Executive of Uyandiswa; a project management consulting firm she founded six years ago. Previously, she was the Financial Services Director of the JSE listed software organisation, Adapt IT. Adapt IT owned 49% of Uyandiswa, a deal concluded in October 2014. Effective as of the 1st of July 2017, Amanda concluded another […]
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, […]
Sthembiso Phakathi is a distinguished advisor and keynote speaker specializing in organizational transformation. With over two decades of expertise, he has successfully guided organizations through the complexities of business performance, strategic leadership, and transformative growth. Recognized for his ability to inspire and equip leaders with actionable strategies, Sthembiso’s insights resonate deeply in today’s dynamic corporate […]
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 […]
Kaluba Chikonde is driven by an insatiable desire to empower and uplift others, particularly in the realms of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). With a heart brimming with compassion and a mind teeming with innovative ideas, she tirelessly works to cultivate the next generation of leaders in these critical fields. Kaluba’s commitment to excellence […]
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
