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MRS M ‘DECADENT PLEASURES’ FOR LUJU AGAIN

By Siyabonga Nsibande | 2024-08-04

CELEBRITY chef and guest trader Neliswa ‘Mrs M’ Nkala of Decadent Pleasures will once again attend the Standard Bank Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival to showcase and share her craft to festival goers.

Mrs M said that her relationship with Luju had grown immensely over the years while working with the festival.

She explained that she started out as a food trader in 2018.

“My first experience with Luju was like a foreign and virgin land at that time, but after hearing that the festival theme was all about food, fashion, lifestyle and beauty, and I was all about that, so I jumped to it,” she explained.

Mrs M said she had felt her own growth since her first experience. She said she enjoyed participating in the various Luju hives such as being a trader, being a finalist in the Pick n Pay Luju Cook-Off Competition and also appearing as a headlining chef.

“This year I am back with a few roles that I will be playing, both in the background as well as in the food village as a trader with our ‘Decadent Pleasures stall. So I really think I have developed over the years in my time with the Luju family. It has been a really amazing journey for me,” she said.

Mrs M described the Luju festival experience as ‘one of a kind’.

She said it was a blessing and a privilege to be able to have such a platform in Eswatini.

“The Luju Festival is a wild experience of food, fashion, music and beauty. Think of it as a family fun day, which caters for everyone on a grander scale. It has all the particulars of an event that gives everyone a piece of their interests,” she said.

She appreciated the festival for focusing on food as it brought everyone together.

“Most would probably say that the headline position at the culinary stage would be my favourite moment, however, my favourite moment was the very first time I traded at the festival. I really enjoyed preparing the treats and interacting with people on that level during the festival,” she said.

Mrs M added that she had always had a love hate relationship with food. She was raised by a single mother, among three siblings as the last born.

“My mother always used to cook and bake, and genetically, I believe that is where I got it from. Surprisingly, I used find a reason not to be in the kitchen,” she said.

“As an adult, I have grown to really love it, and I found that food and baking is basically where I thrive and am able to express myself creatively through the recipes. So I would say that it is an amazing relationship that I have with food and it allows me to express myself in a way that I cannot with words,” she added.

She stated that she was happy to be able to turn her love for food into a source of income through her businesses which she said had brought her inner peace.

“I get so much joy from cooking and baking whether I’m doing it for free or to even create content. It is also great that brands have begun to notice me for the work I have been doing through food,” the chef said.

She added that she learnt a lot through cooking, baking and platforms such as the Luju event.

She said such opportunities had accelerated her growth in the culinary industry.

“I have been true to me, and my uniqueness. I’ve learnt quite a lot and have been able to network with a number of people within the industry which allows me to grow. Participating in these events translates to a huge following on social media as well as people trusting my credibility,” she said.

She said she was constantly looking to improve without becoming ignorant in her craft, but rather giving back and sharing information with people going forward.

Finally, she said she was looking forward to trading her specialty in desserts.

“Festival goers can expect that we will be having our signature desserts, treats, hot and cold beverages which will appeal to all ages, while providing an amazing variety of desserts with amazing flavours for people who want to experience food on a different level.”

“We will be in the Sweet Corner in the Food Heritage Garden. I am so excited for people to taste the products for the first time.

Based on the weather this week, I am not too sure how the weekend will go weather wise, but we will have everything for any weather condition,” she said.

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