From Grandmother’s Kitchen to Culinary Glory: Sandanathi Mashita’s Journey Home
Chef Sandanathi Mashita, originally from Maletswai in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, discovered her passion for culinary arts inspired by her grandmother. At 18, she moved to Switzerland for her degree and returned home in 2024, where she won the SABC2 cooking show, Colour Your Plate with KOO, emphasizing her love for home-cooked meals.
Mashita reflects on the challenges she faced while cooking in Europe, emphasizing her desire to return to her roots. Winning the cooking competition was a milestone for her, demonstrating the importance of perseverance in pursuing her passion for food and nutrition. ‘It felt surreal,’ she recalls, holding her trophy with pride.
The inaugural cooking competition was intense, pushing Mashita to showcase her expertise, yet she thrived despite the pressure, particularly highlighting KOO canned goods for their convenience in healthy cooking. ‘Cooking from scratch isn’t necessary,’ she explains, advocating for the integration of canned produce in modern kitchens to simplify meal preparation.
Mashita cherishes memories of baking with her grandmother, who taught her that cooking is more than measurements—it’s about love and joy. This early experience ignited her desire to professionally pursue culinary arts, prompting her to seek formal training and the opportunity to learn from esteemed chefs at the Culinary Arts Academy.
Beyond television fame, Mashita is establishing her culinary identity with her venture, Food by a Foodie, at the Prison Break Market in Midrand. ‘I want people to explore my cooking beyond the screen,’ she states, offering baked goods that reflect her journey and the flavors of her hometown, aiming to connect with her community through food.
Mashita’s Culinary Journey and Inspirations
Chef Sandanathi Mashita’s culinary passion originates from her grandmother’s heartfelt cooking. “She measured with her heart,” Mashita recalls, highlighting the emotional connection that inspired her love for food.
At 18, Mashita left South Africa for Switzerland’s Culinary Arts Academy, seeking expertise. She reflects, “I knew I wanted to learn the fundamentals of cooking and gain professional experience in a kitchen.”
Returning to South Africa in 2024, Mashita’s experience abroad enriches her culinary perspective. She now dreams of success in the country that shaped her, saying, “Nothing compares to home.”
Winning Recognition on Colour Your Plate with KOO
Sandanathi Mashita triumphed on the SABC2 show Colour Your Plate with KOO, becoming the season four winner. “It felt surreal, did I really just achieve that?” she remarked about her unexpected success.
The competition was intense, judged by experts like Reuben Riffel and Thembisa Mdoda-Nxumalo. Mashita valued the pressure, asserting that “the convenience of KOO canned goods plays a significant role in cooking under stress.”
Mashita advocates for canned produce’s nutritional benefits, stating, “People wish to be healthy, yet they want to make everything from scratch. But with canned goods, everything is prepared for you.”
In wrapping up, Sandanathi Mashita’s culinary journey beautifully showcases her dedication to her roots and passion for cooking. With the support of her grandmother’s influence and her experiences abroad, she embodies the perfect blend of tradition and innovation in her dishes, reminding us all that home is where the heart—and the best flavors—are.
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