Introducing Holly King - Class of 2025
Holly King / Portrait Photo: Kathy Pitout Photography
Q&A WITH Holly King
1. What Inspired you to enrol at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine?
I have always had a passion for food. Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine was the perfect place for me because the school accepts only 15 students, and I work well in smaller groups. Another inspiration for enrolling was my mom and the delicious meals she made for us every evening.
2. What are you hoping to achieve here?
Overall confidence in my abilities to cook and produce good food. I hope to be tested and pushed to my full potential.
3. Explain what you are prepared to give of yourself.
I am prepared to give my all in everything we learn and do. I’ll always work hard, and I’ll do my best in all tests and at functions.
4. What is your long-term goal?
To open and run my own restaurant or bakery. I want to be a successful business owner. I want people to know who I am and for people to love my food, buy it, and enjoy the atmosphere I create in my restaurant. I want my food to bring people together.
5. In how many years do you hope to achieve this?
In the next 10 years.
6. Are you aware that the pressure you'll be placed under during the course will help you to achieve your goal? Elaborate on your ability to cope with pressure.
Yes, I am. I’ll keep in mind that ‘diamonds are made under pressure’. I can cope with pressure to a certain degree. I work well under stress but sometimes it can be overwhelming and it could take its toll on me.
7. Do you shy away from hard work? Elaborate on your answer.
No, I always do what is asked of me with 100% effort. I strive to push myself to my best ability even when it’s difficult. I often beat myself up over small things but that’s because I always strive to put my all into what I’m doing.
8. Are you willing to perform all tasks assigned to you? Give a reason for your answer.
Yes, I am. I have been blessed with the opportunity to attend the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine, and I do not want to waste this. I am willing to perform all tasks to my best ability and to achieve great things while here.
9. Are you aware that the hospitality industry requires you to work on weekends and public holidays while guests ‘play’? Comment on this.
Yes, I am. Being a chef requires a lot of sacrifice and hard work, but I’m passionate about food so this would not bother me. Being a chef means serving guests and meeting their demands. Working on the weekends may be tiring or frustrating but this is what I signed up for in the hospitality industry
10. Who is your favourite international foodie?
Gordon Ramsay. My family and I usually watch his show Hell’s Kitchen or Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted. I enjoy how serious and passionate he is about food.
11. If food had a personality what dish would be most like you - and why?
A tart of some sort because you only know how well it’s cooked and what’s inside the tart when you cut it open. In this case, people only know the real me once they get to know me.
12. Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Harare and raised in Bulawayo. Both cities are in Zimbabwe.
13. Apart from food, what hobbies do you enjoy?
Exercising in the gym and playing padel, squash and hockey.
14. What dish do you find least inspiring? Explain your reason.
A bowl of soup because most people eat with their eyes. Often the soup doesn’t look as appetising as I would like it to look and other times I don’t get as much flavour as I would like. Soup can be watery and bland.
15. Name four celebrities you'd like to have at your dinner table. Explain why.
Adam Sandler - I enjoy all his movies, I think he’s hilarious and I like having a good laugh. I have watched Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2 at least seven times each.
Jennifer Aniston - she was my favourite character in the Friends series, and I enjoy watching the other movies she acts in such as Just Go with It, where she acts with Adam Sandler.
Olympian Simone Biles - her hard work and determination is inspirational; she never gave up and never stopped doing what she loved even when it got difficult.
Chris Evans - Captain America is my favourite Marvel character/superhero. I grew up watching Marvel movies with my dad.