Chef Wandile Mabaso's hard shifts in the kitchen have taken him from coveted restaurants in the USA and France to cooking for world leaders in South Africa. Not bad for a man from Soweto whose peers once laughed at him taking cooking classes! Chef Wandile shares his recipe for success with Nozibele Qamngana-Mayaba on what it takes to be part of the 1% that makes it. We're in for a tasty episode!

00:00 The Grit Behind Success: Chef Wandile's Journey

01:03 Introducing Chef Wandile: A Culinary Star

01:29 The Snack Segment: A Surprising Choice

02:17 Breaking Stereotypes: Becoming a Chef Against Odds

04:22 Dreaming Big: From Soweto to Global Culinary Stages

07:17 Name Dropping: Cooking for Celebrities and World Leaders

10:47 Overcoming Challenges: The Hardships Behind the Glamour

14:49 Returning Home: Bringing Global Experience to South Africa

16:11 Rapid Fire Questions: Getting Personal with Chef Wandile

16:55 Exploring Culinary Skills and Presidential Preferences

17:15 A Call to the Finance Minister: A Culinary Intervention

17:49 The Basics Before the Challenge: Cooking Lessons

18:32 Guilty Pleasures and Underrated Ingredients

19:47 Advice for Aspiring Chefs: Patience, Vision, and Grit

22:29 Navigating Challenges and Embracing the Journey

24:40 The Power of Skills and Strategic Planning

28:03 Nostalgia and Comfort: The Story Behind McDonald's Chips

30:12 Reflecting on the Journey and Looking Ahead Catch up with our host Nozibele · More information about this podcast · The 77 Percent (DW Africa)