Have you ever eaten something and wished to get stuck in time so that you keep eating it over and over and over? I am not talking about the three second moan you have when eating a slice of pizza.
I am talking about the type of ‘Oh My Goodness’ you get when you eat a meal cooked with love and is filled with robust flavors that explode in your mouth.
Food made with love has to be one must-have. A non-negotiable. Whether you are from Africa or Asia, we can agree on one thing; GOOD FOOD IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FORM OF LOVE.
Evolution has always been part of our existence. In the world of Culinary Arts, chefs continue to shock us all with fusion of recipes and a blend of different cultures all in one dish. It is an honor to shine the spotlight on a young 17 year old whose love for food has become the center of his identity.
Tlatsetso Piet is a 17 year old young man who resides at Masianokeng, Setleketseng. Growing up, his mother always had a busy schedule and young Tlatsetso would find himself in the kitchen whipping up simple dishes. As time went on, it stopped becoming a chore and his love for cooking was birthed.
As a boy, he was not threatened by the stigma that ‘it is a girl’s duty to cook.’ This is why he discovered his love for making food taste absolutely delicious. Cooking was his form of art even before he thought he could think it would become a passion. Fusing different flavors together became a norm to him.
“For me, standing in front of the pots does not only end there, I always look to create my own recipes, if not, develop already existing ones.”
Every artist gets excited when they are given an opportunity to get immersed in their art. The latter is true for Tlatsetso. He has an emotional connection with food that cannot be explained through words.
His mood instantly shifts when he enters the kitchen and in his own words, he gets lost in this world. Food fills voids that often exist because of a bad day and continues to cultivate who he is in this world filled with pots and knives.
Upon realizing that he is utterly in love with his art, 17 year old Tlatsetso Piet has officially started a course in Culinary Arts and Hospitality in Bloemfontein’s Culinary And Hospitality Academy.
He explains that the sentimental effect of food on him cannot just be thrown out the window. As a matter of fact, he recently took part in making a decadent seven course meal at his school. When at home, he makes the most out of the box meals for his mother who is always blown away by how well he fuses flavors.
It is truly inspiring to find a young man as passionate and unapologetic about something as simple as food. It is very important to note that this is exactly what a good artist does. He turnsS the simplest things into magic. He is truly a one of a kind and that is exactly what sets him apart.
The big question remains, how will this artist in the world of food use his magic to touch Lesotho? Tlatsetso dreams of owning a restaurant, one that will be so big it will be franchised across the whole country. His primary aim with this is to introduce Basotho to a foreign concept of fine dining.
Selibeng is fearlessly cheering this young man on. Not just because he is doing the unthinkable by going into a course that is not popular among boys, but also because he is not afraid to be driven by passion.
It is utterly remarkable to see how he is fearless in his space. He may be young and still have a lot to learn. Yet he is the precise symbol of excellence. THE ART OF DOING SOMETHING ORDINARY IN AN EXTRAORDINARY MANNER.