Maseru, Lesotho – (African Boulevard News) – Lesotho’s cuisine is one of Africa’s hidden treasures. Unlike other African cuisines, Basotho cuisine is not that well-known beyond the country’s borders. However, that might soon change with the rise of a young chef, who is undertaking the task of documenting and reviving Basotho cuisine.
Sub-heading 1: Basotho cuisine – an undiscovered treasure
Seen as food for the poor, traditional Basotho dishes aren’t as popular in Lesotho as their Italian or American counterparts. As a result, the country’s food culture is rapidly disappearing. How does one save a cuisine that is slowly disappearing? That’s where Chef Retšelisitsoe Sekamane comes in.
Sub-heading 2: Meet Chef Retšelisitsoe Sekamane
Chef Retšelisitsoe Sekamane is the first chef to have documented Basotho cuisine. Born and raised in Lesotho, Chef Sekamane grew up in a family that loves food. While his parents taught him how to cook, he later went on to study culinary arts in South Africa.
After completing his studies, Chef Sekamane returned to Lesotho to start his own restaurant. However, he soon realized that Basotho cuisine wasn’t as popular as it should be. He then made it his mission to document Basotho cuisine and share it with the world.
Sub-heading 3: Preserving Basotho cuisine for future generations
Chef Sekamane’s goal is to preserve Basotho cuisine for future generations. To do this, he has been collecting recipes from his grandmothers, aunts, and other members of his community. He has also been experimenting with these recipes, adding his own twist to them.
One of Chef Sekamane’s signature dishes is the Mophane worm. Mophane worms are a traditional Basotho dish that is rarely served in restaurants. Chef Sekamane’s version of the dish has a modern twist, making it more appealing to younger generations.
Sub-heading 4: Promoting Basotho cuisine to the world
Chef Sekamane’s work has not gone unnoticed. He has been featured in several publications, both locally and internationally. He has also participated in food festivals, showcasing Basotho cuisine to the world.
According to Chef Sekamane, “Basotho cuisine is one of Africa’s hidden treasures. It’s my goal to share it with the world and make Basotho cuisine as popular as Italian or American cuisine.”
Sub-heading 5: Conclusion
Basotho cuisine is a hidden treasure that has been overlooked for too long. With the rise of chefs like Retšelisitsoe Sekamane, Basotho cuisine might soon become as popular as other cuisines. Chef Sekamane’s work is not only preserving Basotho cuisine but also promoting it to the world.
As Chef Sekamane says, “Food is not just about nourishment; it’s about culture, identity, and heritage.” Through his work, he is preserving Basotho culture, identity, and heritage for generations to come.
