Vanie Padayachee

While she never quite found her sea legs (long story), this mistress of spices did end up fulfilling her dream of becoming a travelling chef. But for now, she’s quite happy putting down roots in Franschhoek.

I grew up in Chatsworth in Durban. I come from a massive family. On my dad’s side, there were seven brothers and three sisters, and on my mom’s side, three brothers and two sisters. We come from a religious Hindu background, and whether we gathered for prayers, weddings, birthdays or funerals, there was always food involved. On Boxing Day and New Year’s we used to go to the beach and would need to rent two buses to fit our whole family. My gran, who organised everything, would get up at 2 am to start cooking – biryani, dhal and Cornish chicken curry – and we’d put up big marquees and kuier for the whole day. Sadly, when she passed on, the tradition came to an end.

I decided to study hotel and catering management because I wanted to travel the world. Our school’s guidance counsellor showed us a video clip about working on the ships and I loved the idea. During my first year of studies we had to assist at a big catering function on a ship – well, more of a catamaran, really – and I couldn’t stop being sick. I had no sea legs, obviously, but I realised I could still cook and travel. I’d just have to do it on land.