Chef Michelle Mkabela
Chef At Home In Pretoria
Get to know me better
I am a highly motivated and professional chef with a real passion for preparing healthy and nutritious meals.
I am a professional chef with 4 years working experience, and 2 years international experience as a chef.
As a chef, my passion lies in the endless possibilities of discovering new ingredients. I thrive on the thrill of experimenting with fresh flavors, textures, and combinations, seeking out unique, often underutilized ingredients to create dishes that excite and surprise. Every meal I prepare tells a story of culinary exploration, where innovation and tradition come together to create unforgettable experiences.
As a private chef, I turn fresh ingredients into unforgettable meals, blending flavors with a touch of creativity and a whole lot of love.
I believe in bold flavors, good company, and never trusting a skinny chef (don’t worry, I taste everything). Whether it’s a rustic farm-to-table feast, a seafood spread worthy of Poseidon, or a braai that could make a South African shed a tear of joy, I’ve got you covered.
Hungry yet? Let’s make magic happen :)
More about me
For me, cooking is...
a mix of creativity and relaxation. It’s a way to experiment, express yourself, and unwind while making something delicious.
I learned to cook at...
A very young age when my mother used to cook, later on went to culinary school to perfect my craft.
A cooking secret...
a little bit of intuition and a lot of love. Recipes are great, but sometimes the best dishes come from trusting your instincts.
My menus
Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad – Sweet grilled peaches paired with peppery arugula, toasted almonds, and a balsamic glaze
Whipped Avocado & Lime on Grilled Sourdough – Creamy avocado blended with zesty lime, served on charred sourdough with chili flakes
Spiced Roasted Cauliflower Bites – Crispy, golden cauliflower tossed in aromatic Middle Eastern spices, served with a creamy tahini drizzle
Roasted Beet & Citrus Carpaccio – Thinly sliced roasted beets layered with blood oranges, toasted walnuts, and a tangy balsamic reduction
Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri – Thick-cut cauliflower steaks grilled and topped with a bright, herby chimichurri sauce
Harissa Roasted Eggplant with Couscous – Smoky roasted eggplant drizzled with spicy harissa and served over fluffy lemon-infused couscous
Coconut Chia Pudding – Creamy coconut milk mixed with chia seeds, served with mango puree and toasted coconut flakes
Baked Cinnamon Apples – Warm spiced apples baked with maple syrup and topped with crunchy granola
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Biltong & Cheese Platter – A mix of aged cheeses, droëwors, and pickled vegetables
Charred Corn on the Cob with Smoked Paprika Butter
Mini Boerewors Sliders – Served with caramelized onions and a spicy chakalaka mayo
The Ultimate braai mix, herbed lamb chops, chicken wings, wors spiral, chakalaka and garlic bread
Chicken and beef sosaties, braai broodjie and a curry pasta salad
Malva Pudding with Amarula Cream – A rich, caramelized favorite
Deconstructed peppermint crisp, whipped cream
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Mini Caprese Skewers – Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a balsamic drizzle
Charcuterie & Cheese Board – A selection of cured meats, artisan cheeses, olives, and fresh bread
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Blinis – Bite-sized pancakes topped with smoked salmon and chives
Fried, savoury rice with bacon bits and scallions
Garlic & Herb Roasted Potatoes
Mixed green salad, with Granny Smith apples and cranberries
Lemon & Garlic Roasted Chicken – Tender, juicy chicken with fresh herbs and citrus glaze
Salmon en Croûte (Salmon Wellington)
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Garlic – Slow-cooked, fall-apart tender meat
Tiramisu – Classic espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone and cocoa
No-Bake Cheesecake Bites – Creamy cheesecake on a biscuit base, served in small portions
Tiramisu Shots – Layers of espresso-soaked sponge and mascarpone cream in small glasses
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Endive & Blue Cheese Salad – Crisp endives, walnuts, and Roquefort cheese, drizzled with a honey-Dijon dressing
Mushroom & Truffle Tartlet – Buttery pastry filled with creamy mushrooms and a hint of truffle oil
Salade Niçoise – A refreshing salad with tuna, olives, green beans, potatoes, and a Dijon vinaigrette
Baked Camembert with Honey & Walnuts – Warm, gooey cheese drizzled with honey and served with crusty bread
Steak Frites – A perfectly seared steak with crispy French fries and garlic herb butter
Salmon en Papillote – Salmon fillet baked in parchment with lemon, butter, and fresh herbs
Tarte Tatin – Caramelized upside-down apple tart, served with crème fraîche
Crème Brûlée – Silky vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar crust
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Crispy bacon croquettes, on a bed of creamy tomato sauce and shaved Parmesan
Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad – Sweet grilled peaches paired with peppery arugula, toasted almonds, and a balsamic glaze
Wild mushroom Tart
Roasted Beet & Citrus Carpaccio – Thinly sliced roasted beets layered with blood oranges, toasted walnuts, and a tangy balsamic reduction
Braised Short Rib – Slow-cooked with red wine and aromatics, served over creamy polenta
Salmon en Croûte (Salmon Wellington)
Poached Pears in Red Wine
Deconstructed Berry Pavlova – Meringue shards with whipped cream and fresh berries
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Crispy Vegetable Tempura – Lightly battered and fried seasonal vegetables served with a savory dipping sauce
Crispy Tempura (Shrimp & Vegetables) – Light and crispy tempura-fried shrimp and seasonal vegetables with dipping sauce
Tuna Tartare with Soy & Avocado – Diced sushi-grade tuna, soy sauce, and sesame oil, served on avocado slices
Teriyaki Glazed Salmon – Perfectly seared salmon fillet with a caramelized teriyaki glaze, served with steamed rice
Chicken Katsu with Tonkatsu Sauce – Crispy breaded chicken cutlet served with tangy tonkatsu sauce and shredded cabbage
Yuzu Cheesecake – Light and citrusy Japanese-style cheesecake with a yuzu glaze
Coconut Chia Pudding – Creamy coconut milk mixed with chia seeds, served with mango puree and toasted coconut flakes
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Bruschetta al Pomodoro – Grilled sourdough topped with ripe tomatoes, basil, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil
Prosciutto & Melon – Sweet cantaloupe paired with delicate slices of prosciutto and a touch of balsamic glaze
Caprese Salad – Fresh buffalo mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, and basil, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction
Garlic & White Wine Steamed Clams – Fresh clams cooked in a light white wine and garlic broth, served with crusty bread
Penne alla Vodka – A smooth tomato and cream sauce with a hint of vodka, finished with Parmesan
Mushroom & Truffle Risotto with Pecorino – An Italian classic with earthy Mediterranean flavors
Lemon olive oil cake with vanilla ice cream and lemon curd
Tiramisu – Classic espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone and cocoa
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Crispy Calamari with Spicy Harissa Mayo – Lightly battered calamari, golden-fried and served with a zesty harissa dipping sauce
Crispy Cod Fritters with Lemon Aioli – Golden-brown cod fritters, lightly seasoned and served with a zesty lemon-garlic aioli
Calamari fritti
Creamy mussels, with ciabatta
Crispy Calamari with Lemon Aioli – Lightly battered calamari, golden-fried and served with a zesty garlic-lemon aioli
Smoked Salmon Crostini with Dill & Lemon – Crisp baguette slices topped with smoked salmon, dairy-free cream cheese, fresh dill, and a squeeze of lemon
Crab Cakes with Lemon Aioli – Golden-crisp crab cakes made with fresh crabmeat and herbs, served with a zesty lemon aioli
Garlic Butter Shrimp & Creamy Polenta – Juicy, sautéed shrimp in a garlic-butter sauce, served over creamy, parmesan-infused polenta
Salmon en Croûte (Salmon Wellington)
Charred King Prawns with Chimichurri & Smoked Paprika Potatoes – Jumbo prawns grilled to perfection, paired with a vibrant chimichurri sauce and smoky paprika potatoes
Lemon olive oil cake with vanilla ice cream and lemon curd
Deconstructed peppermint crisp, whipped cream
View full menu
Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad – Sweet grilled peaches paired with peppery arugula, toasted almonds, and a balsamic glaze
Whipped Avocado & Lime on Grilled Sourdough – Creamy avocado blended with zesty lime, served on charred sourdough with chili flakes
Spiced Roasted Cauliflower Bites – Crispy, golden cauliflower tossed in aromatic Middle Eastern spices, served with a creamy tahini drizzle
Roasted Beet & Citrus Carpaccio – Thinly sliced roasted beets layered with blood oranges, toasted walnuts, and a tangy balsamic reduction
Roasted Cauliflower Steak with Chimichurri – Thick-cut cauliflower steaks grilled and topped with a bright, herby chimichurri sauce
Harissa Roasted Eggplant with Couscous – Smoky roasted eggplant drizzled with spicy harissa and served over fluffy lemon-infused couscous
Coconut Chia Pudding – Creamy coconut milk mixed with chia seeds, served with mango puree and toasted coconut flakes
Baked Cinnamon Apples – Warm spiced apples baked with maple syrup and topped with crunchy granola
View full menu
Biltong & Cheese Platter – A mix of aged cheeses, droëwors, and pickled vegetables
Charred Corn on the Cob with Smoked Paprika Butter
Mini Boerewors Sliders – Served with caramelized onions and a spicy chakalaka mayo
The Ultimate braai mix, herbed lamb chops, chicken wings, wors spiral, chakalaka and garlic bread
Chicken and beef sosaties, braai broodjie and a curry pasta salad
Malva Pudding with Amarula Cream – A rich, caramelized favorite
Deconstructed peppermint crisp, whipped cream
View full menu
Mini Caprese Skewers – Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil with a balsamic drizzle
Charcuterie & Cheese Board – A selection of cured meats, artisan cheeses, olives, and fresh bread
Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese Blinis – Bite-sized pancakes topped with smoked salmon and chives
Fried, savoury rice with bacon bits and scallions
Garlic & Herb Roasted Potatoes
Mixed green salad, with Granny Smith apples and cranberries
Lemon & Garlic Roasted Chicken – Tender, juicy chicken with fresh herbs and citrus glaze
Salmon en Croûte (Salmon Wellington)
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary & Garlic – Slow-cooked, fall-apart tender meat
Tiramisu – Classic espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone and cocoa
No-Bake Cheesecake Bites – Creamy cheesecake on a biscuit base, served in small portions
Tiramisu Shots – Layers of espresso-soaked sponge and mascarpone cream in small glasses
View full menu
Endive & Blue Cheese Salad – Crisp endives, walnuts, and Roquefort cheese, drizzled with a honey-Dijon dressing
Mushroom & Truffle Tartlet – Buttery pastry filled with creamy mushrooms and a hint of truffle oil
Salade Niçoise – A refreshing salad with tuna, olives, green beans, potatoes, and a Dijon vinaigrette
Baked Camembert with Honey & Walnuts – Warm, gooey cheese drizzled with honey and served with crusty bread
Steak Frites – A perfectly seared steak with crispy French fries and garlic herb butter
Salmon en Papillote – Salmon fillet baked in parchment with lemon, butter, and fresh herbs
Tarte Tatin – Caramelized upside-down apple tart, served with crème fraîche
Crème Brûlée – Silky vanilla custard with a caramelized sugar crust
View full menu
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