The Sunday Mail
COOKING shows have become modern-day cooking classes with internationally recognised reality shows taking over television programming.
The likes of “British Master Chef” from the BBC and “American Chopped” from the Food Network have been immensely successful. Other countries are using these franchises to create celebrity chefs.
Zimbabwe has its own vibrant culinary arts sector, which has seen the rise of the “Battle of the Chefs Zimbabwe”, whose debut season was won by Team Buffaloes, which comprises of Tafadzwa Anifasi and Musodzi Mushonga.
Battle of the Chefs Zimbabwe winning team, Tafadzwa “De Ankarra Chef” Anifas (left) and Musodzi Mushonga
For Chef Tafadzwa, better known as De Ankarra Chef, the competition provided a “much-needed” spark to his creativity. He says the success he enjoyed on “Battle of the Chefs Zimbabwe” has sparked an inner fire within him to become one of Zimbabwe’s celebrity chefs.
His stage name, De Ankarra Chef, came about as a result of his fondness for Afrocentric print clothing, which he dons on his show “Home Made with De Ankarra Chef”.
“My love for African fabric — Ankara — inspired my moniker,” says Anifasi.
Anifasi revealed that his fascination with food started when he saw his aunt making a sunny side up egg for the first time.
The celebrity chef’s journey to success began when his father encouraged him to study culinary arts.
After acquiring a degree in Finance, his passion for cooking grew and his family, who were mesmerised by his fusion cooking, supported the decision.
Chef Anifasi received training in South Africa before proceeding to work in Italy and Ethiopia. He says his journey has created an understanding of flavours, techniques and food cultures.
With an immense love for African travel and cuisine, he is on a journey to bring Zimbabwean cuisine on the world map.
“I love African cuisine. I want to travel, taste and learn it as much as possible. My dream is to one day run a restaurant in Addis Ababa, at the African Union.”
He says his cooking style is a fusion of dishes that invigorates taste buds and turns an ordinary meal to fine dining.
The winning dish for 2015’s “Battle of the Chefs” was the common “sadza ne nyama”. The dish took first prize for showing creativity on the often unexciting combination.
But in showbiz, one is only as good as their last show and Chef Anifasi knows this too well. For this reason, he says he is not going to waste his success from the competition.
“Home Made with De Ankarra Chef” is broadcast on ZBC on Sundays at 6.30pm.
The programme takes audiences on a journey of discovering new flavours and foods.
De Ankarra Chef gave us a recipe of his modern take on mufushwa and mbambaira soup.
See recipe under ARTS AND LIFESTYLE
