Rose-Mary Haufiku
“I adore losing myself in the rituals of chopping, stirring and tasting,” says Elizabeth Isai, the overall WorldSkills Africa 2022 winner.
The 21-year-old’s interest in cooking dates back to when she was a child, and the love continued to always create delicious food that puts smiles on people’s faces.
“I love trying new things, and cooking is fun. Cooking gives me a chance to be creative,” she told Youth Corner.
Isai won the gold medal in cooking, and she was also awarded the top competitor across 17 vocational disciplines for the WorldSkills Africa 2022 competition.
She described receiving the gold medal and the best competitor award as major accomplishments that make her feel incredible, proud and pleased with herself.
Isai said she was taken aback by the fact that she was the overall winner, saying: “I was looking more at the mistakes that I did during my competition and I also had a few doubts”.
On the other hand, she admitted, she also had a hunch that she would do well but she didn’t know which position.
Isia said her experience as a winner has taught her there is no harm in trying.
She said her lecturer chef Ralf Herrgott, encouraged her to participate in the competition that was open to young professionals in specific trades – under the age of 23.
Meanwhile, Isai is now preparing for the Africa Culinary Cup, which will take place next month in Abu Dhabi, as well as the WorldSkills International competition, set for Shanghai, China, in October 2022.
She plans to continue her studies in Germany next year, whereafter she wants to open a restaurant and a culinary school.