Celebrating a chef’s birthday

I CELEBRATED my 25th birthday on April 23. A chef's birthday holds a special meaning that transcends the typical celebration of another year passed.

For those, who dedicate their lives to the art of cooking, this day serves as a moment of reflection, gratitude, and connection with loved ones. It is a time to honour the journey that has brought them to where they are today and to appreciate the support and inspiration that fuels their culinary passion.

As a chef, each year brings new challenges, opportunities for growth, and moments of triumph in the kitchen.

Birthdays serve as a reminder of the dedication and hard work that go into crafting unforgettable dining experiences for others. It is a time to pause, acknowledge personal achievements, and set new goals for the year ahead.

Making a family recipe for banana bread In the midst of trying to prepare for the next chapter of my life I am back in Harare and, I recently took the opportunity to reconnect with my roots by making a cherished family recipe for banana bread.

As I gathered the ingredients and preheated the oven, memories of baking with my loved ones flooded my mind, reminding me of the joy and comfort that comes from sharing meals with those closest to me.

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The familiar scent of ripe bananas and warm spices filled the kitchen, transporting me back to simpler times spent baking with my grandmother. The process of measuring, mixing, and baking became a meditative experience, allowing me to slow down and appreciate the artistry of home cooking.

Quality time with family

As the banana bread baked to golden perfection, I invited my family to join me in the kitchen, creating a space for laughter, conversation, and shared experience.

We reminisced about past birthdays, shared stories of culinary triumphs and failures, and bonded over our love for good food and company.

The simple act of baking together brought us closer, strengthening the bonds that define us as a family. As we sat down to enjoy slices of warm banana bread with a cup of coffee, I felt grateful for these moments of connection and the joy that comes from sharing a meal with those you love.

Balancing passion and leadership

As I prepare to travel back to work as a head pastry chef and kitchen manager, I am reminded of the unique role I play in the culinary world.

As a leader in the kitchen, my responsibilities extend beyond creating delicious dishes; I am entrusted with guiding and inspiring a team of talented individuals to work together seamlessly towards a common goal.

Being a kitchen manager requires a delicate balance of passion for food, attention to detail, and effective communication skills. It is a role that demands creativity, adaptability, and the ability to lead by example.

Each day presents new challenges and opportunities to showcase my culinary expertise while fostering a positive and productive work environment for my team.

Conclusion: Nourishing the soul

As I reflect on the significance of celebrating a chef's birthday, I am reminded of the deep connection between food, family, and tradition.

The act of preparing a family recipe for banana bread and spending quality time with loved ones has reinvigorated my passion for cooking and reinforced the importance of cultivating meaningful relationships both inside and outside the kitchen.

I will soon be returning to Victoria Falls with a new position, I carry with me the lessons learned from this special birthday celebration: the value of tradition, the power of quality time spent with family, and the fusion of culinary expertise and leadership in creating unforgettable dining experiences.

In the fast-paced world of the culinary industry, it is easy to get caught up in the demands of the job and lose sight of the simple pleasures that come from sharing a meal with loved ones.

As a chef and kitchen manager, it is essential to find moments of pause and reflection, to reconnect with the roots of your passion, and to prioritise the relationships that fuel your creativity and drive. As I embark on the next chapter of my culinary journey, I carry with me the memories of baking banana bread with my family, the laughter shared around the kitchen table, and the warmth of tradition that binds us together. These moments serve as a reminder of the importance of nourishing not only the body but also the soul through food, family, and the shared experiences that make life truly meaningful. In the bustling world of the kitchen, where precision and creativity collide, it is easy to lose sight of the simple joys that come from a slice of warm banana bread shared with loved ones.

As I return to work as a kitchen manager, I carry with me the lessons learned from this special birthday celebration: the value of tradition, the power of quality time spent with family, and the fusion of culinary expertise and leadership in creating unforgettable dining experiences.

In the coming days, as I step back into the rhythm of the kitchen, I will strive to embody the spirit of connection, creativity, and passion that defines me as a chef. I will draw inspiration from the memories of baking with my family, the flavours of home-cooked meals, and the joy that comes from sharing my love of food with others.

As I blow out the candles on another year of life, I am reminded of the gift that

is the culinary world: a place where flavours, memories, and traditions intertwine to create moments of joy, connection, and nourishment for the soul.

And as I look ahead to the challenges and triumphs that await me in the kitchen, I do so with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the role that food, family, and tradition play in shaping who we are and the legacy we leave behind.

The best banana bread 

Ingredients

2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour (spooned and levelled )

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup (1 stick or 115g) unsalted butter,soft room temp

3/4 cup (150g) packed light or dark brown sugar (see Note)

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1/3 cup (80g) plain yogurt or Lacto , at room temperature

2 cups (460g) mashed bananas (about 4 large ripe bananas)of 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract optional: 3/4 cup (100g) chopped pecans, walnuts or marula nuts

Instructions 

Preheat oven 177 Celsius. Grease 9x5 inch loaf pan. Lowering the oven rack prevents the top of your bread from browning too much, too soon. Set aside 

In a medium bowl, whisk together, flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. Set aside 

Using a mugoti cream butter and sugar in-till creamy and smooth about 2 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Then beat in lacto or plain yoghurt, mash bananas and vanilla extract until combined.

Slowly beat the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until no flour pockets remain. Do not over mix, fold in nuts.

Pour and spread the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 60-65 minutes, making sure to loosely cover the bread with aluminium foil halfway through to prevent the top from getting too brown.

The bread is done when a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean with only a few small moist crumbs. This may be after 60-65 minutes depending on your oven, so begin checking every 5 minutes around the 60-minute mark.

• Muzamhindo is a young chef with seven years’ experience in a professional kitchen and has enjoyed the concept of food since the tender age of two. She studied at the South African Chefs Academy in Cape Town and the Culinary Arts Academy in Zimbabwe to become a level three advanced chef. Her specialties range from indigenous ingredients to fine dining, gourmet food, food health and safety and food research and development. — ruwarashemuzamhindo@gmail.com.