Pivot Point: From Chef Student to Production House Owner.

Loading player...
Lentswe Bhengu, born and raised in KwaZulu Natal, started off plying his trade in the investment finance space. After 5 years in the industry, Lentswe traded in his suit and tie for a chef hat and spatula and in 2010 and enrolled at The Culinary Academy in the Cape Winelands. After graduating, he quickly made a name for himself in the culinary scene, whipping up memorable creations in the kitchens of some of the finest restaurants. Pretty soon, his talent and passion for cooking opened new doors, one of which saw him embark on a journey to uncover the different tastes of Africa. His media production house has also made strides in digital, managing to successfully meld the kitchen with new media, via a critically acclaimed web series, a South African first.

Chef Lentswe is a food festival, events and expos regular and has had some of his work commissioned abroad. He is also involved in chef organisations that hone and recognise the talents and skills of young, up and coming chefs. Due to his finance background, Lentswe also recently featured in the Digi Series #WeStrat2022Stronger, where he shares his rich knowledge of finance with South Africans to equip them with financial skills and tools to be financially knowledgeable, because with a betterunderstanding of your finances, there is a peace of mind. This is where he made finances palatable while still loving his chef role.
24 Mar 2022 4AM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

South Africa’s Solar Power Development on the Rise

Local independent power producer Mulilo today announced the financial close of what it calls one of the largest utility-scale solar developments in the country. The 380 MW Beaufort West Solar PV project will generate approximately 818 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually. Joining us with the details is Stuart Macwilliam, Mulilo…
20 Apr 4PM 15 min

SA Inflation Risks Are Rising

With CPI easing to 3% in February but global pressures mounting, Nedbank economist Isaac Matshego breaks down what to expect from this week’s inflation print, the resilience of household spending, and the outlook for borrowing costs in the second half of 2026.
20 Apr 4PM 8 min

Inside the JSE’s 2026 SME Acceleration Strategy

The JSE launched its 2026 Enterprise Acceleration Programme, welcoming 12 high‑potential SMEs and building on the success of previous cohorts. Vuyo Lee discusses the programme’s evolution and its impact on scaling founder‑led businesses.
20 Apr 4PM 8 min

Careers Corner: Fuel Shock Forces Rethink of Workplace Models

Rising fuel and energy costs are pushing companies to revisit remote and hybrid work. CDH’s Rashaad Dadoo outlines the legal obligations, fairness considerations, and compliance risks employers must manage as flexible work models re-enter strategic planning.
20 Apr 4PM 15 min

Wealth Creation: Why SA Investors Need Alternatives

With the JSE representing less than 1% of global investable markets, South Africans face concentration risk at home. Anchor Capital’s Darryl Hannington explores the rise of private equity, private debt, hedge funds, and offshore assets—and how alternatives can strengthen portfolios in an inflation‑driven world.
20 Apr 4PM 16 min