Twenty years of service is a great celebration for any staff member at Londolozi and I have the honour again to have one of the kitchen staff at Londolozi celebrate this today. It is a fabulous experience that you get to hear stories of years gone by, recipes that have been learnt and taught again and loyalty which is second to none.
Twenty years ago a young Connie started at Londolozi in 1994 as a Pastry Chef and the relief Chef for the Satellite Camps. She then moved to Varty Camp, where she was in charge of the meat and fish preparation as well as serving the guests in the evenings.
Connie Mthabini, The Queen of Bush Banqueting, Chutneys & Cheese Biscuits!
Connie with the delicious knickerbocker glory dessert that we serve at Londolozi.
Smiling proudly with her creation – the knickerbocker glory.
Over the years Connie has moved up the culinary ladder and is now the Executive Bush Banqueting Chef of the kitchen.
You would have read about the incredible talent and passion that Connie has for her work in a chapter of the “Meet the Kitchen” blog.
Connie was an important part of this year’s Easter breakfast served bush style!
Having a cup of tea with Mamma Connie (as she is referred to in the kitchen) – she told me that she made the decision to move from a lodge in the West where she’d been working as a Scullery Lady, because she one day, had a feeling in her bones that if she became a chef and learnt how to cook – she would be so very happy and she would pick up more skills which would enrich her life.
Connie has the most beautiful smile.
Guests would have tasted Connie’s incredible preserves & chutneys over the years and of course the most famous with her name, is Connie’s Chili! Although we warn the guests that it has a slight kick, no one seems to mind and always come back for more! Due to its popularity, we have included this recipe in Volume One of our Cookbook – Safari Basics!
I can tell you that I for one am very grateful for that day 20 years ago!
The Londolozi kitchen team pose for the camera
Lovely blog, Connie definitely has a very special place in my heart in the kitchen, when she is not chasing me out of the kitchen with a chef’s knife menacingly resting in her hand for stealing a piece of bacon she is giving me the biggest bear hug for not having seen me around for a few days. I look forward to working with Connie for many many more years!
What a lovely write-up about a very special lady. Thank you Anna and Connie.
One more reason to love Londolozi.
Mamma Connie, My Friend, I miss you everyday! You are an incredible gift to Londolozi and everyone privileged enough to meet you!
Congratulations Connie. You’d better still be at Londolozi when my grandson Henry, three years old now, comes to visit you when he gets a bit older — maybe in five or six years.
Thank you Dave – yes i will definitely still be here and look forward to welcoming you and Henry to Londolozi!
Congratulations Connie, on your 20th Anniversary with Londolozi! They are lucky to have you and I can attest to how wonderful your cooking tastes! We can’t wait to return again next year and enjoy all the fantastic food that is prepared there at Londolozi!
Thank you Jill!
Connie looks forward to welcoming you back to Londolozi!
Congratulations Connie!! See you soon.
Thank you Trevor & Colleen – love Connie
Congratulation Connie! 20 years and counting! We can’t wait to get back to Londolozi for some of your fabulous Chili! (and all the rest of your specialties too!)
Thank you Michael & Terri!
We look forward to seeing you next year in August!
Congrats Connie. Hope you have many more years. It was a very heart warming story!:)
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Thank you Mary!
I will be still here at Londolozi when you next return and look forward to sharing my new chutney’s and Chili with you again – love Connie
Well done Conny, you must be proud !! 🙂
to my darling Connie, with her welcoming smile and her delicious food,,. everything World Class and nothing Beyond Kak. Through the years with Ashleigh, Sheila, Dumi, lettuce, Shadrack and always Elmon….. . , bush dinners, breakfasts, bush camp, tree camp, main camp and all the new ones, drinks stops, big bush banquets,…. Connie was always there, reliable, steady, organised and ready. thank you always Connie! you are and have been a shining star! From Yvonne Short
Congratulations Connie, You have cooked us many great meals over the years with the same passion and commitment, Thank you.
What a nice testimonial !!!!