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Cape Town – South African chef Zola Nene is a breath of fresh air every Sunday on M-Net (DStv 101) on the delightfully entertaining local show, The Wedding Bashers.
The food stylist, who is not shy to share her thoughts on everything food related, is undoubtedly a highlight of the show since joining the second season.
Her brutally honest and sharp comments make for fantastic viewing. "My comments are my personal opinion," she says before adding; "People may not agree with it, but I just tell the truth from my perspective.
"I’ve been cooking and tasting food for many years now. I have even catered at quite a few weddings during my time in the UK some years ago. I know what it takes to prepare a meal for a wedding, so I can tell when effort has been put in and I can tell when there’s been no care."
To kick off her tenure on the show Zola was thrown in the deep end in the four episode special The Wedding Bashers Specials…With Love in which the bashers planned four dream weddings for four different couples.
This experience gave her a totally new perspective when it comes to judging the food at the weddings.
"Being able to help plan a wedding made me realise how important it is to taste and sample the menu before the big day. The food is such an important part of a wedding that it shouldn’t be left to the venue to decide.
"The couple should know exactly what their menu will look like and taste like on the day. In the same way that couples do cake tastings, a menu tasting is just as important."
When judging the food Zola looks at two important ingredients: Flavour and presentation.
"A plate of food at a wedding should always taste good and it should be inviting and evoke an excitement to want to eat it."
THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Before signing on to do the show Zola was a fan of the show.
"I watched a few episodes of the first season and I loved getting an insight on how different people celebrate their wedding day. It’s like being invited to be a fly on the wall at someone’s big day."
Working alongside the other bashers (Zavion Kotze, Denise Zimba, Bernelee Daniell) has been a pleasure says Zola.
"We have the best time together. I can honestly say that I love my fellow bashers so much. We are all very different which makes for a fun and varied set of opinions."
And what does she love most about weddings?
"My favourite part about weddings is witnessing two people declare their love for each other surrounded by people who love them, it’s such a beautiful moment to witness."
We asked Zola if she did our wedding bashers quiz and she got Zavion!
Tune in to Wedding Bashers Sundays at 18:00 on M-Net (DStv 101).
