At The View Boutique Hotel & Spa, one of the places where all the magic happens, is right in the kitchen at Giorgio’s restaurant.

Lucky Sthembiso Ntuli (34) is the Head Chef that has been running the restaurant kitchen at The View for the past 4 years.

Ntuli grew up and completed his studies in Underberg and always had a passion for cooking.

Having started as a sculler in 2003, Ntuli has worked his way up the culinary ladder to his current position as Head Chef at this 5-Star establishment in Doonside, Amanzimtoti.

Apart from being self-taught, Ntuli has gained experience at Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort as Chef de Partie for 5 years, as well as completed a Customer Service Certificate at the KZN Business Training Center in 2012.

“I am a self-taught chef. I educated myself in the kitchen from my love of food and being taught by other qualified Chefs,” he said.

When asked what his advice is for those starting out in the culinary industry, he commented, “Learn hard, enjoy your job, respect your fellow chefs and don’t be scared to try something new”.

According to him, his favourite dish to cook, is Oxtail, but also enjoys creating the signature dish at Giorgio’s – the fillet of beef: a tender fillet of beef resting on a base of thinly sliced creamy potato & baby spinach, topped with crispy onion rings and a jus.