Culinary Arts Student wins Chef of the Year Award
…honing entrepreneurial skills one ingredient at a time
Elizabeth Isai, a final-year Bachelor of Culinary Arts student at NUST, has been named the Namibian Chefs Association (NamChef) 2024 Chef of the Year. The prestigious award was presented at the NamChefs competition in Windhoek, where Isai’s exceptional culinary skills earned her the top spot.
Reflecting on her win, Isai shared: “This is not just a trophy; it is a testament to all the support and hard work that brought me here. I hope to inspire others to follow their passions and create meaningful connections through food”. As she looks ahead to the future, she is excited to continue making a lasting impact on Namibia’s culinary industry and aims to raise the country’s profile higher on the global stage.
It’s in the Family
Isai’s journey into the culinary world has been driven by passion, dedication, and hard work. Inspired by her father’s love for cooking, at a young age, she discovered the role food can play in connecting people. Over the years, she has honed her skills and gained recognition for her talents, earning multiple awards and representing Namibia worldwide. The NamChef title is the latest addition to her list of accomplishments, which also includes winning the WorldSkills Championship.
Entrepreneur in the making
In addition to excelling in her studies, she has a launched a start-up, that is focused on promoting Namibian cuisine and sustainable culinary practices. After graduation, she plans to expand her work and venture into a fully fletched catering business , working closely with local farmers. Furthermore, as part of community engagement, she hopes to teach others about traditional cooking techniques and the importance of sustainable, healthy food choices.
NUST’s Bachelor of Culinary Arts degree, offered under the Faculty of Commerce, Human Sciences and Education, aims to equip students with knowledge, professional, scientific and technical skills and values to pursue a career in this field.
