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Meet Our Chef Team

Chef Vusi Mteshane

Chef Vusi Mteshane

Mobile: 074 504 3470
Email: Vusi.Mteshane@unilever.com
Instagram: @chefmvu
TikTok: @chefmvu
Job title: Culinary Lead SA
Location: Durban

I’m born and bred in KwaMashu township, where my love for food and flavour was sparked at a young age. I studied Hospitality Management at Damelin, and from there, my culinary journey has taken me across the globe.

I started out working at Café Gitano and Sibaya Casino, later joining Unilever, where I first got a taste of working with high-quality products and innovation in the kitchen. My passion for growth and new challenges led me to Dubai, where I became Head Chef at Café Moka and worked with Emirates Leisure Retail, catering for major events like the Rugby Sevens.

One of the highlights of my journey was opening Velvet, a fine dining restaurant that allowed me to express my creativity through refined cuisine. I then had the privilege of spending six months at the iconic Taj Hotel in India, where I immersed myself in the world of Indian spices and traditional cooking techniques — an experience that deeply enriched my culinary repertoire.

As Group Executive Chef of Aldar, I managed and ran 10 outlets across various cuisines, which taught me how to lead with precision and consistency at scale. When I returned to South Africa, I led the kitchen at a 4-star hotel and at the wellloved Antiques Café, before returning to Unilever — this time as the Innovation and Deploy Chef for Africa.

I’m passionate about using only the best ingredients to create unforgettable meals, and I thrive when cooking for guests who appreciate quality and flavour. Cooking isn’t just my job — it’s my purpose, my passion, and my superpower.

I am Chef Vusi.

If you are unable to make contact with Chef Vusi Mteshane via the details provided, please contact our customer care line number and/or email address:

Telephone Number: 0860 31 41 51
Email: info.unileverfoodsolutions2@unilever.com

Chef Mary Worthington

Chef Mary Worthington

Mobile: 082 857 7997
Email: mary.worthington@unilever.com
Instagram: @chefworthingtonmary
Job title: Culinary Experience Chef Advisor
Location: Durban

South African by birth and having grown up on a farm with many fond memories of marvelous home cooking and an abundance of fresh produce, Chef Mary feels she has her mother to thank for laying the foundations for a career in food.

Chef Mary completed her National Diploma in Food and Clothing Technology at DUT, having specialised in large scale catering. She did her in-service training at Robertsons Spice, and went on to join Fedics, a large out source catering company. With them she had the opportunity to work in all sectors of their business, managing retail restaurants, industrial catering outlets, a large private hospital and prestigious corporate catering contracts where she catered for many VIP dignitaries and overseas clientele.

Mary then started a small but successful outside catering business and 5 years later rejoined Fedics as a Projects Manager, winning Nedcor’s contractor of the year. This was a very prestigious award as it was audited against other catering competitors. Not having started her career off as a chef, she began to realise that cooking was not just a hobby but something she is passionate about.

Mary then moved into her role as Regional Chef for KZN, responsible for setting food standards for the region. She then took up the challenging post as Senior Chef, Toyota SA, overseeing the production of 6000 meals per day to 17 satellite canteens.

Mary is a chef’s kind of chef who believes that good food should be tasty, wholesome and healthy, whether it’s a snack or gourmet meal. Mary says “when cooking, the important thing is to have fun and never be afraid to share those most guarded secrets.”

Mary has been in the industry for over 40 years, with the last 18 of those spent at Unilever Food Solutions.

As a chef in Unilever Food Solutions, Mary looks forward to sharing her experiences with other chefs in the industry.

If you are unable to make contact with Chef Mary Worthington via the details provided, please contact our customer care line number and/or email address:

Telephone Number: 0860 31 41 51
Email: info.unileverfoodsolutions2@unilever.com

Chef Danielle Venter

Chef Danielle Venter

Mobile: 081 550 0389
Email: danielle.venter@unilever.com
Instagram: @chefdanielle_sa
Job title: Demand Creation Chef
Location: Durban

Chef Danielle Venter is a seasoned culinary professional with a deep passion for global cuisine and a heart for mentorship. With over 17 years of experience in the culinary industry, Danielle has made a lasting impact across multiple domains. Her journey began as a Chef de Partie at Durban’s first fine dining restaurant, and she has since honed her craft in some of South Africa’s top restaurants and hotels.

Danielle’s career evolved into education, where she spent four years as a lecturer at a prestigious chef school, sharing her expertise and nurturing the next generation of culinary talent. Her love for teaching and mentoring continues to be a driving force in her career, as she actively supports and uplifts chefs within the industry.

Beyond the classroom, Danielle has explored consulting, hosted engaging cooking classes, and offered private chef services, each experience enriching her connection with food enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.

For the past six years, Danielle has been a vital part of Unilever Food Solutions - five years as a Regional Culinary Experience Chef Advisor, and currently as a Regional Demand Creation Chef. In this role, she brings creativity, innovation, and strategic insight to the forefront of culinary experiences across the region.

Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her successful ownership and operation of a coffee shop for the past 15 years, a testament to her dedication to excellence and community.

Danielle also serves as the Regional Bailli KwaZulu-Natal on the board of the Chaine des Rôtisseurs KZN South Africa, and is a proud member of the South African Chefs Association. Her passion for the hot kitchen section remains unwavering, where she thrives in crafting innovative, flavourful dishes that celebrate culinary diversity. Danielle’s journey is a testament to her expertise, creativity, and her unwavering commitment to the art of cooking - and to inspiring others to grow within it.

If you are unable to make contact with Chef Danielle Venter via the details provided, please contact our customer care line number and/or email address:

Telephone Number: 0860 31 41 51
Email: info.unileverfoodsolutions2@unilever.com

Chef Pinky Linah Maruping

Chef Pinky Linah Maruping

Mobile: 082 469 4193
Email: linah.maruping@unilever.com
Instagram: @chefpinkydread
Job title: Regional Customer Chef 
Location: Gauteng

Pinky graduated from the Johannesburg University of Technology Hotel School with a National Diploma in Food Service Management. She then went on to study at the Prue Leith College of Food and Wine in Pretoria where she completed her National Diploma in Food and Wine.

Pinky has since worked in numerous establishments and gained a vast amount of industry experience. Starting out as Chef de Partie at Irene Country Lodge, she moved to Glenshiel Country Lodge in Limpopo where she held the position of Sous Chef, and then onto a head chef position at the Blue Bay Café in Plettenberg Bay before returning to Johannesburg where she took up residence as Sous Chef at The Michelangelo Hotel in Sandton. Here she was responsible for service at Piccolo Mondo Restaurant.

A stint overseas followed where Pinky thoroughly enjoyed the adventure of working for the Royal Caribbean Cruise Liners in the Caribbean Islands for two and a half years. Returning to South Africa, Pinky was appointed as Executive Sous Chef at OR Tambo Intercontinental Airport Sun Hotel, where she worked for a short while before moving over to Tiger Brands Out of Home Solutions as a Research & Development Chef. There she was responsible for new innovations, development of new product bench top prototypes, continuous product improvement, and drafting of recipe specifications, and notes a highlight of this time being when she would see products that she had worked on being sold in retail outlets.

Pinky has been working for Unilever Food Solutions for the past 16 years as a culinary Experience Chef.

Pinky has a very adventurous palate and enjoys visiting towns or cities and enjoys eating in establishments that give her an authentic experience of tastes and flavours, whether in South Africa or overseas. As a chef, Pinky prides herself in her ability to fuse together ingredients to create unique dishes or products.

Pinky was elected Vice President of SACHEFS (South African Chefs Association) and is a proud member of the Global Chef Manifesto, where she actively champions sustainable food systems. Her love for the planet and its people drives her commitment to creating food that is not only delicious, but also responsible and future-focused.

If you are unable to make contact with Chef Pinky Linah Maruping via the details provided, please contact our customer care line number and/or email address:

Telephone Number: 0860 31 41 51
Email: info.unileverfoodsolutions2@unilever.com

Chef Anda Dlepu

Chef Anda Dlepu

Mobile: 076 339 3282
Email: anda.dlepu@unilever.com
Instagram: @chef_andadlepu
Job title: Demand Creation Chef
Location: Cape Town

Anda Dlepu is a passionate and dynamic chef with over 15 years of experience spanning culinary arts and product development. A graduate of the South African Chefs Academy, he trained under the legendary Garth Stroebel and began his career as a commis chef in the Woolworths Head Office Culinary Centre.

Driven by dedication and talent, Anda quickly rose to the position of chef de partie. His journey then took a turn into Product Development, where he made a significant impact in the long-life category before transitioning into the fresh food space. Over the past decade, he has played a key role in developing innovative offerings in the poultry and meat categories for one of South Africa’s leading retailers.

Despite his corporate success, Anda has remained closely connected to the kitchen. He spent two years moonlighting as a sous chef at ASH, a celebrated fine-dining restaurant in Cape Town. His love for food also led to frequent TV appearances as a food ambassador on shows such as 3 Talk with Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, Top Billing, and Expresso.

Mentorship is central to Anda’s journey. He has guided and inspired many young chefs who have gone on to thrive in the food industry, and continues to champion the next generation of culinary talent. On  the entrepreneurial front, he has long worked as a private chef and has had the honour of cooking for high-profile clients - including the iconic Martha Stewart.

With an unwavering love for food, people, and sharing knowledge, Anda brings creativity, insight, and inspiration to every plate he touches.

If you are unable to make contact with Chef Anda Dlepu via the details provided, please contact our customer care line number and/or email address:

Telephone Number: 0860 31 41 51
Email: info.unileverfoodsolutions2@unilever.com

Chef Latoya Marivate

Chef Latoya Marivate

Mobile: 072 813 3466
Email: latoya.marivate@unilever.com
Instagram: @chef_latoya
Job title: Demand Creation Chef
Location: Johannesburg

Chef Latoya Marivate began her culinary career in Cape Town in 2011, working in a range of fine dining restaurants and hotels, and learning from some of South Africa’s top chefs.

Her first international role took her to the USA, where she worked at a 700-room golf resort in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This large-scale operation significantly enhanced her skills and helped her achieve international standards of excellence.

In 2016, Chef Latoya launched her own hospitality consultancy, offering services from menu development to the soft opening of hotels and restaurants. Her work has taken her to cities such as Amsterdam, and countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa.

After the pandemic in 2022, Chef Latoya returned to the kitchen as Head Chef at a prestigious hotel, formerly the residence of President Nelson Mandela, which had been transformed into a luxury boutique hotel, an experience she considers a career highlight and great honour.

In 2024, she spent some time working in the Middle East, driven by her passion for travel and the exploration of diverse cultures and cuisines.

Chef Latoya Marivate truly believes that food is a global language and it’s one she speaks fluently.

If you are unable to make contact with Chef Latoya Marivate via the details provided, please contact our customer care line number and/or email address:

Telephone Number: 0860 31 41 51
Email: info.unileverfoodsolutions2@unilever.com

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