ESWATINI’s very own Chef Sivesetfu Bhembe has made history by being the first in the world to achieve the top mark in the Highfield Level 4 Award in HACCP Principles for Management (CODEX Principles) (RQF) 2024 examinations.
The awards were officially published for the awardees at Highfield International in their UAE offices on Friday.
The Highfield Level 4 International Award in Managing HACCP for Catering targeted learners working at a management level in a catering or retail business or were members of the HACCP team. Bhembe was a student at the 1 000 Hills Chefs School in South Africa.
Bhembe, who works as a Chef de Partie at the Happy Valley hotel when reached for comment said this award was mainly a recognition that he got the highest marks in the qualification. He said this was the highest mark that was received at that particular level of qualification.
“I received the top mark across the world and am happy. But more than that, I am quite humbled and honoured as a Chef because we always strive for quality in food preparation and maintain the highest quality food safety standards.
“Getting this award is a testament that the passion of giving the best food and the best quality food can pay off,” he said.
He said this was a major highlight for his career, especially because the qualification was now a requirement for Chefs internationally.
Bhembe said these were not the only achievements that he has but has managed to secure first place in the 1000 Hills Chef School Business Project, where he also scored the highest marks in 2024. He added that he was also honoured with the prestigious Leadership Award and Hot Kitchen Award (Best Head Chef) at 1000 Hills Chef School in the same year.
His mother Siphesihle Mkhonta advised all parents to support their children in their dreams because that was where they would excel. She said parents should know that the career that their children choose is not theirs but what they are passionate about.
