Article by: Qiniso Ndzawumbi
Prepare yourself for where you are going, so that you don’t have to prepare yourself when you arrive
Barney Jiri
At the age of 21 years, Barney Jiri also known as The Purple Chef, a graduate at one of Africa’s leading Hotel schools ( The International Hotel School), currently doing his Bachelor Of Arts in Strategic Communications In Corporate Communications at the University of Johannesburg. He is a food stylist, social media influencer, Chef and a brand ambassador of one of the biggest supermarkets chains operating franchised grocery stores in South Africa, Food Lovers Market.
This young lad is the founder of Royal Era Events, an events catering company, he is also a private chef, when asked during an interview by Social Hour Production on why he chose to be exlusive with his services, he mentioned that he likes interacting with his clients, which is something that is near to impossible when you work in the “industry” of which he describes as restaurants, hotels and all the other hospitality vacancies.
We as Cooking with Qiniso got a chance to interview this cooking expert.
What drove him to being a Chef?
“Cooking has always come easy to me”
Barney Jiri
Barney mentions that growing up in a household of women who loved and enjoyed cooking is one of the reasons that inspired him to pursue cooking as a career path. “I’d always watched my mom and grandmother cook which sparked an interest in me. I started falling in love with Food channels and seeing how others cook and they have different cooking techniques which led me to start expecting in the kitchen.”
He further explained that in high school he chose consumer studies as one of his favored subjects which opened and broadened his mind to the culinary industry that’s when he finally chose to go to study at the international hotel school.
Culinary School and the best parts about the education experience
“My experience at IHS was absolutely amazing. When you choose to go into something and you have a full understanding of what you have envisioned for your career, everything falls into place”. The greatest challenge he faced was escaping his comfort zone seeing as he always wanted to stand out. “ ‘Your last dish’ always represents you and makes you memorable and this always led me to be hard on myself and to always seek advice as I needed to maintain the standard I had set”. One of the biggest lessons he says he has learnt throughout his education period is to listen to the advice he is given and to proactively apply it. “I had to learn, to listen to be consistent as the change began once I became a student”. “I can gladly say that by always trying to be ahead, by doing more research, and always going the extra mile, when it came to my plating and cooking techniques, it was all about effort and passion because with consistency it all came together beautifully.”
Favorite go-to dish
“ It has to be between steak, creamy mash and mushroom sauce or creamy pasta-based sauce. It gives me a lot of nostalgia”
Chef that he admires
Gordan Ramsy. “This is because he is considered one of the world’s greatest chefs – that’s why”.
Favorite wine
Barney stated that Vilafonte is his favorite wine at the moment and this is due to the dozens of health benefits reasons which it contains,
- decreased incident of heart attacks & strokes (the French paradox)
- reduce tumors
- block formation of amyloidal plaques which contribute to Alzheimer’s
- better dental health, etc
- Flavonoids – Anthocyanin in grape skin give red color
- decreases cholesterol
- Rich in antioxidants
Barney Jiri frequently gives out advices on how to manipulate your way around the kitchen, plating tips and also cooking tricks, so if you a cook fanatic follow him on his social platforms for all these perks, all link to existing and functioning socials are down below
For starters here are 5 food styling tips by Barney Jiri
Cooking With Qiniso 