Recreation Africa

Meet Kedar’s Executive Chef, Vusi

The Executive Chef of Kedar Heritage Lodge, Conference Centre & Spa, Chef Vusi Ngcobo hails from the North Coast of Kwazulu Natal. He first trained at Swiss Charlet in KZN which saw him being awarded a traineeship in Switzerland in 1994.

This was a most exciting location for Chef Vusi to train considering how multifaceted the Swiss cuisine is. While some dishes like fondue, raclette or rosti are omnipresent through the country, each region has its own gastronomy according to the differences in climate and language. Traditional Swiss cuisine uses ingredients similar to those in other European countries, as well as unique dairy products and cheeses produced in the valleys of Gruyeres and Emmental. The number of fine-dining establishments is high, particularly in western Switzerland.

Upon his return to South Africa, Chef Vusi worked in various establishments as a Sous Chef such as the Venue in Rivonia (now at Melrose Arch), the Crowne Plaza in Rosebank, the Royal Elephant and St. George’s Hotel. His hard work and perseverance eventually saw him graduate to Executive Chef. Chef Vusi has recently joined Kedar Heritage Lodge, Conference Centre & Spa as the Executive Chef and has already received much praise from the guests for taking the standard up another notch!

He is married to Pretty and they have four children, the latest addition to the family being born just as he commenced his tenure with Kedar Heritage Lodge, Conference Centre & Spa. One of his favourite, signature dishes which we look forward to on the menu is the Venison Curry. Apart from cooking, his passions include mentoring others (which he hopes to be doing plenty of soon) as well as gardening. In fact, some of the herbs and peppercorns available on the Kedar Heritage Lodge, Conference Centre & Spa cuisine are freshly cultivated by Chef Vusi on site!