At just 19 years old, Maxine Maart from Elsies River in Cape Town is proving that talent and determination can take you far—even in your first year of culinary school.
Currently enrolled in the foundational cookery programme at Capsicum Culinary Studio’s Cape Town campus, Maart has already made her mark by clinching second place at the prestigious Young Chefs Challenge 2025, walking away with R40 000 in prize money.
The top honours went to fellow Capsicum student Unami Binda from Johannesburg, who received R80 000—marking a proud double victory for the school.
From Family Kitchen to Culinary Ambitions
Maart’s love for food started early, inspired by her mother’s fast-food business. “Helping my mom sparked a curiosity that turned into a real love for cooking and sharing food with others,” she recalls.
What began as simple experiments in the kitchen soon grew into a dream that pushed her to pursue formal training at Capsicum.
“I chose Capsicum because of its reputation. The course I’m on now is just the beginning—I plan to study further and take advantage of every opportunity to grow.”
Cooking Under Pressure
Taking part in her first competition was both nerve-wracking and thrilling. “I grew up watching cooking shows, so this was a dream come true. I reminded myself to cook from the heart and not overthink it.”
Her menu was both creative and heartfelt:
- Starter: A samosa stuffed with sweet potato and spinach, served on a pea purée.
- Main: A sautéed chicken breast on potato mash with mushroom sauce.
Despite an unexpected ingredient shortage, Maart adapted her main course on the day. “That’s what chefs do—we pivot. In the end, I was proud of what I served.”
The judges clearly agreed, awarding her runner-up in a field of talented young chefs.
Big Dreams, Bold Future
Maart admits she was “speechless” at her win and wishes her parents could have been there to celebrate in person. “I know they are proud of me. This is just the beginning. I want to travel, learn about different cuisines, and one day open my own food business. It’s a big dream, but with hard work, dreams do come true.”
Where to Start Your Own Culinary Journey
For aspiring chefs inspired by Maxine’s story, Capsicum Culinary Studio is hosting Open Days on September 27, October 25, and November 29 (09h00–12h00) at all seven campuses nationwide:
- Boksburg: Unit 6, Bartlett Lake Office Park, Cnr Leith and Trichardts Roads
- Cape Town: 358 Victoria Rd, Salt River
- Durban: 300 Granada Square, 16 Chartwell Dr, Umhlanga Rocks
- Johannesburg: 3 Keyes Ave, Rosebank
- Nelson Mandela Bay: 1 Newmarket Rd, Greenacres, Gqeberha
- Pretoria: Menlyn Square, South Building, 134 Aramist Ave, Waterkloof Glen
- Ruimsig, Roodepoort: Block D, 144 Peter Road
For details, email chef@capsicumcooking.co.za, call 086 111 2433, or visit capsicumcooking.com.
