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Hailing from a village in Rustenburg called Maologane, Chef Shimmy brings a unique background to his culinary journey. Armed with a ND in Hospitality Management from the esteemed Vaal University of Technology, he embarked on his professional career as a chef at the renowned Sandton Sun Hotel. This formative experience spanned an impressive seven years, during which he had the privilege of working alongside and being mentored by the esteemed Executive Chef Garth Shnier and Executive Sous Chef James Khoza.

A remarkable highlight in Chef Shimmy's career was the opportunity to represent South Africa during the South African Cuisine Week in Kenya. It was a momentous occasion that allowed him to showcase his culinary expertise while cooking for the esteemed South African high commissioner in Kenya. These experiences, combined with his extensive 12-year tenure in the industry, have shaped him into the accomplished chef he is today.

Chef Shimmy's journey into the culinary world began in a community focused on farming and mining in Rustenburg, located about three hours away from Johannesburg. In 1998, after completing his high school education, the idea of becoming a chef was entirely unheard of in his community.

However, his passion for the culinary arts was ignited by watching chefs on television and experiencing the exhilaration of working in a bustling kitchen. This newfound love and the adrenaline rush it brought made Chef Shimmy realize that he wanted to pursue a career in the culinary field for the rest of his life. Although his initial wish was to join the HTA School of Culinary Art in Johannesburg, the high fees proved to be a barrier. As a result, he enrolled at Vaal University of Technology to pursue his culinary education.

Chef Shimmy's internship took place at Southern Sun in Sandton, where he honed his skills and dedicated himself to the craft for an impressive seven years. Through hard work and determination, he rose through the ranks, ultimately assuming the role of sous chef tournant. He further expanded his culinary expertise as the former Head Chef at Granita, a renowned restaurant located at Kievits Kroon Country Estate just outside Pretoria.

His culinary journey took him to new heights when he attended the SA Food Festival in Nairobi, Kenya in 2017, representing his craft. Chef Shimmy then ventured into working at other esteemed hotels before assuming the prestigious position of head chef at Sunnyside Park and Sandton Sun Hotels. With his continued success, he eventually became the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Dandozest, showcasing his remarkable skills and expertise in the culinary industry.