31/10/2024
Andile Chef Somdaka, the owner of Eziko Restaurant is a
professional and highly regarded chef with three decades
of experience.
He is an international judge and an active member of the
South African Chef Association
His illustrious career includes being a personal chef for a
global icon Nelson Mandela and former president
Thabo Mbeki.
Chef Andile is regular speaker at cooking schools, highly sought
after judge in master classes, and like any other chef, he
enjoys gastronomy tourism.
He is not just a chef but an entrepreneur with a passion
for nurturing young talent and job creation.
A highly accomplished and results – orientated chef with
more than thirty years experience of directing and
beverage services for highly rated restaurants, Andile
possesses a wide range of
Knowledge and experience that will allow him to contribute
to the success of any establishment or his own restaurant
Andile has an extraordinary ability of conceptualizing,
Developing and implementing innovative menus to optimize
guests satisfaction And retaining staff in his own restaurant. An established ability to prepare successful menus for special
events. Because the culinary industry is cutthroat, Andile has been able to make himself stand
out from all his competitors. He regularly receives great reviews on social media and
this is mainly due to his winning formula:
Oversee menu creation, food operations, and management of ingredient stocking.
Boosted restaurant sales by 60% by introducing inventive menus and seasonal dishes.
Increase productivity and efficiency in the kitchen by reorganizing kitchen operations.
About Eziko restaurant
Andile has propelled culinary excellence within his prestigious restaurants driving outstanding
dining experiences while consistently surpassing guest and adhering to any necessary dietary
restrictions.
Earning commendation for culinary achievement and excellence while creating dynamic menus
for discerning clientele; adept at utilizing fresh, organic, and in-season foods to optimize meal
taste and quality.
Under Andile’s leadership, Eziko has acquired a reputation as a leader, able to forge and
sustain excellent relationships with kitchen staff and customers.
Andile’s proven success in managing all aspects of kitchen operations and budgets, along with
comprehensive expertise in developing and managing innovative and refined menu fare,
has contributed immensely to the success of Eziko in Midrand.
Eziko Restaurant is based in Midrand and has been running for six years now.
The restaurant specializes in traditional African cuisine. It offers its clients a polished,
retro-urban dining environment.
Its customer segment include family groups, business associates and individuals who
enjoy good food in a relaxed environment.
Eziko’s recipe for success if the quality of food they serve and dedicated staff who offer
high quality service.
It has also become a training school for young chefs.
A Journey Begun
After he had successfully served both former presidents, Tata Nelson
Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, Andile Somdaka estalbished Eziko Caterers
cc during the year 1999. He has well over 16 years of experience in the
catering industry.
The close corporation has since been registered on the database of the
Eziko Caterers has worked with a list of events management companies
doing functions around the entire country (RSA) Eziko Caterers has
entertained from school kids, man on street to local and international
dignitaries.
After he had successfully served both former presidents, Tata Nelson
Mandela and Thabo Mbeki, Andile Somdaka established Eziko Caterers
cc during the year 1999.
Denmark & Ukraine Tour
Celebrating SA’s 25 Years of Democracy and Food Industry
Purpose of the tour
To promote South Africa’s business and tourism opportunities to the Ukrainian and Danish markets.
The other purpose was to specifically showcase South Africa’s food products.
The trip was facilitated by the South African Embassies in Ukraine and Denmark.
Programme Objectives and Speakers
1. To unlock untapped market potential.
2. Facilitate business opportunities between
SA and Ukraine and Denmark.
3. Exhibition of African Art and food.
* Mr Gennadily Chyzhykov, President of the
Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce & Industry
* Mr Andre L Groenewald, South African
Ambassador to Ukraine
* Chef Andile Somdaka on Business
Opportunities in the retail sector
* Mr Dennis Ackulay, My Arts International
* Ms Zindzi Mandela, SA Ambassador to Denmark
Successes of the Ukraine/Denmark Tour
* Promoted South African brands, products and clothing
* Local South African cuisine was adequately promoted
* Most of the people who attended the events expressed an interest to
* visit SA as tourists
* Opportunities for investment
* International exposure for Chef Andile and made food as one of the main
motivations for travelling to SA (culinary tourism market)
* Opportunity to host a master class at Kyiv University
* Opportunity for food service providers and other culinary
* tourism suppliers
to get access to the large customer bases.
West Africa tour
Purpose of the tour
* The tour included major countries in Western
Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia,
Gambia, Rwanda & Cote d’Ivore
* The theme was Celebrating Africa Heritage
through Cuisine.
* Chef Andile participated in most of the
programmes as a chef, international judge
and member of the South African Chef Associations.
* Chef Andile appeared on national TV to talk about his experience
as a personal chef to former Presidents Nelson Mandela and
Thabo Mbeki
* Hosted a number of masterclasses
* Attended food workshops where SA food was promoted
Catch Chef Andile at the Business Chillas on the 5th November 2024, 10am as he shares his journey, but also empowering township Chefs & local food manufacturers. Brought to you by Silomotion (Pty) Ltd in partnership with Coolisa & eKasi entrepreneurs, , Connecing your brand to the world
