#MancrushMonday : Chef Jason Whitehead

Introducing #MancrushMonday : Chef Jason Whitehead

#MancrushMonday is a FABULOUS new series dedicated to showcasing some seriously inspiring men that have crossed my path. Previously on my #jaxpirational series I gave the ladies some props, it’s time the men got a shout out!

I have worked with this Culinary Wizard in the past and I so appreciate him taking time out of his busy schedule to chat with me. So without further adieu let me introduce:

Tell us a bit about yourself

I am a chef, cookbook author, and hospitality consultant based in Cape Town. Currently under lockdown with some of my family and fur children. I’m spending most of my day deciding on what to eat next.

When and where were you born?

I’m one day short of being a Valentine’s baby. I was born sometime in the 1900s on the 13th of February born in Slaapstad. 😉

Where are you living now?

Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa

What kind of creative are you?

I am kitchen samurai most of the time, so I play with various different ingredients to create mouth watering recipes.

Name of your brand?

Chef Jason Whitehead

How did you discover your calling?

I was born into a family of foodies, with my gran being a professional chef, and both my parents being owners of restaurants and bars. It was almost inevitable that I became a chef.

What do you love most about what you do?

I get to cook and eat for a living, so what’s not to love.

What do you like the least about what you do?

I am self-employed, so probably the lack of financial security during this uncertain time we all find ourselves in at the moment.

Who or what has been your biggest motivators ?

My late mother. Going to get all soppy now, but growing up was going through some tough times, yet my mother always managed to provide. I learned so much from her strength and ambition, and even though she is no longer with us, I still feel the constant need to make her proud.

Have you experienced fear along the way & how did you overcome it?

Fear not so much (unless I need to go the dentist!), but anxiety for sure, often before the dreaded winter months approach in the hospitality industry, especially when you are a ‘one-man-show’ and don’t have the luxury of financial stability. I overcome this by ensuring I save during the busy peak season months.

What are your greatest achievement/s?

There’s been a couple, but ones that stick out would be successfully running my own restaurant for just short of three years before selling it in 2016. Then going onto publishing my first-ever cookbook, which won an international award. My latest achievement, which I very proud of, was writing an eBook during lockdown to raise money for an NGO that has a very special place in my heart called Streetscapes, called My Lockdown Cookbook. Shameless punt… it is still available to download on my website for a measly R99, which is more of a donation than a purchase.

Who do you thank for your success?

Besides my mother, I have had a couple of people who have been there for me in my career, one of them being Alison McCuthceon from Rainbow Experiential Marketing, who has taught me everything I know about the events industry.

What upcoming projects do you have?

Well, none really. The year started off really well and I had bookings throughout the year, which very rarely happens, but that obviously all came crashing down when Corona raised its ugly head!

How are you currently coping with the #Covid19 Crisis?

When the lockdown was first implemented here in South Africa, I started writing my eBook, which gave me a purpose and something to focus on every day. Since its completion, I spent about a week marketing it, answering questions for interviews in the media, etc., but now the whole severity and uncertainty of it all is starting to kick in. I’m a little scared, I won’t lie, but I am trying to remain optimistic and trying to find my way in this new way of living.

Any words of encouragement for other male creatives out there?

We need to keep re-inventing and strategizing new ways through this fiasco known as Covid-19. I don’t think things will ever be the same as they were before. We need to adapt and come up with creative ways of earning a living in this new world we are going to be faced with post lockdown. It all sounds a little doom and gloom I know, but unfortunately, that is the reality of it right now. We are plagued with uncertainty and we are just going to have to try and remain optimistic, be as proactive as possible, and remember that you are not alone in all of this. I think that collaborations are going to be the way forward, helping and uplifting one another, as we are in for a bumpy ride with a lot of lessons to be learned. #TogetherWeCan has never been more important.

Where can we stalk you on social media?

Website: www.jasonwhitehead.co.za

Instagram : @ChefJasonWhitehead

Facebook: @ChefJasonWhitehead

Special Thanks to Chyef Jason Whitehead for his time and sharing a bit more about himself. Stay tuned for another #MancrushMonday next week!