Let's send Ashley to chef school!

Ashley Ndoda, 20, comes across as a reserved young man, even a little shy. But when he begins to talk about cooking, his eyes light up and a smile spreads across his face.

“Cooking is a pleasure for me,” he says. “I've enjoyed it ever since I was a little boy.”

Ashley has been cooking since he was 11 years old. He began by watching his mom in the kitchen and asking her questions, like which spices she was using. When he was 12, his parents came home from work one day to find he'd already prepared the family's evening meal. Eight years later, he cooks for his family almost every day. 

Now Ashley wants to turn his passion into a profession. His dream is to attend Sense of Taste chef school in Maitland, Cape Town. He's already met the school's principal, Debs Ayub, who's excited for Ashley to train with her. All students are guaranteed a job placement after graduation. 

Cooking with love
Debs herself is a ball of energy. On her left arm is a tattoo that reads “Love Live Cook", w...