The South African Chef Who Cooked For Beyoncé In Paris!

Meet Chef Wandile Mabaso, a pioneer of African luxury

This valentine's we are celebrating and showing love to one of our favourite entrepreneurs, Chef Wandile Mabaso. He is also sponsoring our winner for FutureProof Valentines Challenge by hosting them for a day at Les Creatifs Restaurant! How exciting and what an opportunity.

Chef Wandile Mabaso, South Africa’s French cuisine ambassador, cooked his first meal for his family at the age of 14. His father didn’t understand, nor approve, of him being a chef because at the time it wasn’t a job for black people. The misnomer faded and Mabaso started travelling; exploring and making money cooking.

“After high school, I went to a hotel school; did a hotel degree. I found myself a job on a small private cruise ship in the Mediterranean. So I spent a lot of time in Italy, around Scandinavia, Barcelona, Monaco,” he recalls.

It was Mabaso’s first time outside of South Africa and he didn’t know what to expect, but he was in his early 20s and very excited. On his return, Mabaso furthered his studies and went for a culinary degree where he was offered a job in the United States while studying. He didn’t look back and went straight to Miami, where he spent 18 months and from there headed to New York, where he was trained in classical French cuisine. He has worked for many famous French chefs and was mentored by the world-famous Chef Olivier Reginensi.

Mabaso was more eager and passionate than the rest of the class when cooking; trying new things was his ideology. He stood out and was handpicked over the other chefs who were more shy, unsure or scared.

“I worked at Daniel, I worked at Le Bernardin, which are all two-star, three-star Michelin restaurants, at least top 20 in the world. I worked in a whole lot of high-end places in Manhattan, probably all these restaurants are at least in the top 50 in the world,” he says.

When he cooks, it’s professional; it’s rare for him to cook the same dish again. His training made him creative. He has cooked for Jay-Z, Beyoncé, presidents and NBA stars in Paris.

“People are fascinated by cooking for celebrities, for me it means nothing, in a sense we’re all people, whether you a celebrity or a guy helping park cars. Chances are people like Beyoncé just like fried chicken and the average guy has a better palate than Jay-Z. It doesn’t mean cooking for Jay-Z is the ultimate person to cook for. I’m not about showing off,” says Mabaso with a straight face.

Chef Wandile Mabaso is a celebrated South African chef and restaurateur who has been delighting diners with his unique and flavorful cuisine for over a decade. His restaurant, Les Creatifs Restaurant, is located in Johannesburg and has become a favourite among locals and tourists alike.

Chef Mabaso's cooking style is heavily influenced by his South African heritage, blending traditional flavours with modern techniques to create dishes that are both familiar and exciting. He uses locally sourced ingredients to create healthy and delicious dishes. From succulent braised beef short ribs to fragrant curries, Chef Mabaso's menu is sure to please any palate.

The atmosphere at Les Creatifs Restaurant is warm and inviting, with an open kitchen where guests can watch Chef Mabaso in action. The restaurant also offers an extensive wine list featuring some of the best South African wines.

Chef Mabaso has been featured in numerous publications including The New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine, and The Guardian. He has also appeared on several television shows including Top Chef South Africa and MasterChef South Africa. His passion for food shines through in every dish he creates, making him one of the most sought-after chefs in the country.

At Wandile's, Chef Mabaso strives to provide an unforgettable dining experience for all of his guests. With its unique flavours and inviting atmosphere, it's no wonder why this restaurant has become such a popular destination for food lovers from around the world. If you're looking for an unforgettable culinary experience, look no further than Wandile's!