29-year-old Mahle Mihlali Vellem is the newly appointed Executive Sous Chef at Carnival City & Entertainment World. He discusses his entrance into the culinary world, as well as some of his favourite dishes to make, and how he made his way to the position of Executive Sous Chef that he now occupies. Finally, he reveals the recipe for his Salmon Poke Bowl.

“After school, I enrolled at the HTA School of Culinary Arts, where I had an opportunity to polish my skills, graduating two years later with a Diploma in Professional Cookery,” says Vellem.  He is currently responsible for running back of house for the kitchens in the hotel, casino’s Salon Privé, banqueting and staff canteen, with 3 sous chefs reporting to him.

Chef Mahle 1
Chef Mahle 3
Chef Mahle 2

This month Vellem launched a new menu within Carnival City’s Salon Privé; “I believe in flavour, so that is always important when I create dishes. There are certain items on the menu that are close to my heart as they remind me of my family, such as the fileto, (the filleto is a pasta dish) salmon poke bowl, Korean chicken poke bowl and smoked salmon and smashed avocado.”

Prive Relaunch

Vellem was hired at Sun International’s Time Square in Pretoria in 2017 as a Chef de Partie. “Being part of opening team of Time Square was a huge opportunity for someone just starting in their career,” says Vellem.

Mahle worked his way up to sous chef and ran two restaurants at Time Square, under the guidance of chefs Adrian Vaughan, Nonkosi Vellem and Jaco Truter. “They taught me a lot about how an operation works and how to deal with staff and set me on my leadership path.”

His most recent posting was setting up the restaurant at Sun City’s new Leloko Villas; “I had to create the menu from scratch – playing around with flavour profiles and touching places in me that I did not know existed. When I look at the menu, I can proudly say I’ve done well, and I’m pretty sure my mentors would agree that they have done their job – now it’s my time to spread my wings and fly, showcasing what they taught me.”

Mahle is gaining culinary experience with the Sun International group while also mentoring younger staff by teaching them new cooking methods. “I am proud to be succeeding on this journey that started with my mother and hope to one day pass my passion for cooking on to my children.”

Chef Mahle Salmon Poke Bowl

Chef Mahle’s Salmon Poke Bowl recipe

Ingredients

  • 100g Norwegian Salmon
  • 50g Cucumber
  • 100g Avocado
  • 40g Edamame Beans
  • 30g Radish
  • 20g Spring Onion
  • 1tbs Sesame Seed
  • 60g Mixed Peppers
  • 100g Sushi Rice
  • 100ml Mirin dressing

Method

  • Cut avocado into cubes
  • Cut peppers into strips
  • Cut cucumber into ribbons
  • Thinly slice the radish
  • Julienne the carrots
  • Toast sesame seeds
  • Pan-sear salmon for about 5- 6 minutes
  • Pour in the dressing in the pan and glaze the salmon
  • Assemble the dish
  • Finish with sesame oil, soy sauce and sesame seeds

Mirin Dressing

Ingredients

  • 60ml Mirin
  • 60ml Soy Sauce
  • 60ml Olive Oil
  • 30g White Sugar
  • 60ml Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2ml Sesame Oil

Method

  • In a mixing bowl pour in all your ingredients and whisk
  • Transfer into a container and store

Sushi Rice

Ingredients

  • 100g Sushi rice
  • 20ml Mirin vinegar
  • 20ml Rice vinegar
  • 200ml Water

Method

  • Wash your rice until all the starch comes out
  • Soak it for 30 minutes in lukewarm water before cooking
  • Cook the rice until soft
  • Strain water and cool down rice
  • Add mirin and rice vinegar

Serves one person, double up ingredients for a dish for two people