Seeletso speaks on being a celebrity chef

| Friday February 25, 2011 00:00

Mmegi: You are the first black celebrity chef in the European country of Poland; tell us about the journey that took you to where you are now.

Seeletso: Some television producers came into a restaurant where I was cooking and they loved the food. They were so impressed that they gave me a job proposal. I went to the studio to cook live for the first time and all went well and I was offered the job. It has been a challenge for me because it is a live programme and I am conducting it in Polish. Of course being the only black man on TV in Poland is a big plus for me. It helps to be recognised and remembered. I get a lot of feedback from my fans and I know that they also value me for my sense of humour and the bit of craziness that I present on air so its not only about my cooking skills and what I present on the plate. Getting into television and lasting is a different thing. It is not easy. Research made by the station shows I am one of the favourite chefs. A year ago I featured in a Polish commercial promoting Polish food on CNN international and this is another step as it is only the beginning for me.

Mmegi: What is the name of your TV show and on which television station does it appear? 

Seeletso: It is called Good Morning TVN which is a live morning show on the most popular commercial TV network in Poland with close to four million viewers. I have been getting 10 minutes slots for the past four years as well as being invited to news channels and other TV programmes in the country.

Mmegi: Do you get recognised in the streets of Warsaw where you are based?

Seeletso: Yes, indeed and it is a beautiful thing. It makes me feel at home, not like a foreigner. It does not only happen in Warsaw but all over Poland. Actually everywhere, in the streets, train stations, shops, parks and so on.TVN station is watched by millions of Polish who also live in the USA, UK and all over the world. Once I was stopped by a Polish couple in Krakow who asked me for my autograph. We started chatting and I found out they live in the USA and watch me every Wednesday. This only shows that people appreciate my show.

Mmegi: You also own a restaurant in Poland, tell us about it.

Seeletso: I am actually a partner in a new concept in Poland. Joseph's Wine & Food is dedicated to me. It is a 75-seater restaurant with a wine shop with wines from all over the world - Italian, French, Spanish, Australian, Californian, Chilean, South African and so on. I have an open kitchen where you can see me cooking. Nowadays my style of cooking is to match any wine with food, starting with the best Rieslings in the world from Mosel in Germany to the best Pinotage from South Africa. In the near future I am planning to introduce classical Botswana dishes. I feel there is also space and interest for our traditional dishes.

Mmegi: Have you ever toured Africa and other continents to showcase your talent?

Seeletso: Yes I conducted cooking demos in Orlando Epcot centre organised by BEDIA. I have cooked a state banqueting in Tokyo, Japan and promoted Botswana food. I have cooked and promoted Botswana food in Brussels during Independence Day organised by the embassy and recently cooked in Stockholm, Sweden.  I presented Botswana food inspired by recipes from the No1 Ladies Detective Agency attended by Alexander McCall - Smith. It has been a beautiful journey but you have to be highly organised, experienced and possess leadership skills to give commands to the chefs brigade' in international kitchens otherwise things can go wrong.   I have been to Norway as well as to fish farms with my TV station and have also been to Egypt to help promote tourism destination places.

Mmegi: Which Polish and international celebrities have you had the pleasure to cater for?

Seeletso: I had great opportunities to cater for Krzysztof Penderecki, one of the most famous and greatest music composers, Edyta Gorniak, number one pop singer, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and many Polish VIPs, including politicians, actors and artists.

Other celebrities include the late Michael Jackson, McCall-Smith, Bill Gates, Jean Claude Van Damme, diplomats and many Southern African presidents when I was the executive chef at Phakalane Golf Estates.

Mmegi: You are scheduled to visit Botswana towards the end of March, please tell us more about it.

Seeletso: Koketso Chiepe is organising a fashion night at the Grand Palm and she has asked me to cook for the VIP room. I could not say no because I have so much respect for her. We have a common vision because we are both recognised artists living abroad with burning ambitions. We are both Botswana self-made ambassadors.

Mmegi: Would you say Botswana is properly positioned to support the talents of her sons and daughters?

Seeletso: Things are starting to happen, the future looks brighter, that's all that I can say.

Mmegi: Any plans to relocate to your country of birth?

Seeletso: For now no, probably after 10 years or so, go ra motho go thebe phatshwa. Botswana does not only need us at home but abroad as well. I think we are doing a fantastic job promoting our motherland. Seven months ago I was cooking and touring with business executives including bank CEOs from Poland. We were at Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls. They loved the country, its nature, people and food. I believe Botswana tourism department should really focus on the emerging eastern European countries market because from my point of view there is a huge potential there.

Mmegi: Please tell us about your family in Poland.

Seeletso: I don't really like to say a lot about my family, I prefer to keep it private. But for you I am going to say a bit: my wife Karolina is Polish we have been married for nearly 13 years,  we have two wonderful sons, the first born is David Sekgoma Seeletso, who is three years old, named after my father and the second one is Stanley Fredric Seeletso, who is exactly 10 month old now, named after my father-in-law. I lived in Botswana with Karolina for nearly four years; she really loves the country and its people. We are planning to visit Botswana soon, to show the boys their paternal relatives and our friends.

Mmegi: What would you say to young Batswana would-be chefs who aspire to reach your celebrity status?

Seeletso: It is hard to say, just tell yourself if Chef Seeletso made it you can also do it. Besides it's about setting yourself goals and working really hard. Determination coupled with high discipline is the secret to success. It is also about believing in yourself, wanting to be one of the best, even if it is not immediately happening. It is also good to have a role model, study in a good school, keeping your eyes wide open and willing to travel. All those things combined will bring you closer to where you want to be.