BoereworsExpress Sep 2021

A ROYAL
CHEF
Leroy Halford (34) works as
the head chef of a restaurant
owned by the Saudi royal
family. He graduated from
Grassdale High School in
Grassy Park, Cape Town, in
2005. He previously attended
Square Hill Primary School
and Steenberg High School.
His first job after graduation was with the Balducci restaurant in the
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. Three years later, he left to gain
international experience by joining Celebrity Cruises in Miami,
Florida. Leroy spent a year working on cruise ships before returning
to Cape Town and joining Pepenero restaurant in Mouille Point in
June 2009. In 2012 he opened the Bungalow restaurant on Clifton’s
Fourth Beach. He later worked at Quay Four restaurant. From
February to June 2018, he returned to the cruise ships.
Leroy was head-hunted by three sisters of the Saudi Al Saud royal
family, who asked him to head their restaurant, Buttermilk, in
Riyadh.
He works hard to ensure that his 9-year old son in Cape Town will
have a good future. Leroy hopes to be an inspiration for young
people in the Cape Flats.
TEAM CANADA'S DOCTOR
Canada's 2020
Olympic team was
kept in top-class
health by a South
African doctor. Dr
Mike Wilkinson is
the current chief
medical officer for
the Canadian
Olympic Committee,
as well as the
Canadian Rowing
team.
He completed his
medical degree at the
University of
Witwatersrand in 1987 and did his internship in East London. His
specialised studies include Sport, Emergency, Aviation and
Hyperbaric/Diving Medicine. Dr Mike and his wife took a break
and decided to spend some time travelling. They ended up in
northern British Columbia, Canada, where they worked as
emergency family physicians before moving to Vancouver.
He is also an expert in sport psychology, which he got into by
volunteering to help a colleague in a marathon in South Africa. His
interest and expertise in sport have led to various appointments in
Canada. He has been to 8 Olympic or Pan Am Games as a team
physician or chief medical officer, including the 2004 and 2008
Olympics, the 2007 Pan Ams, the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and
Paralympic Games, the 2018 Winter Olympics, the 2019 Pan Am
Games and the recent Tokyo Olympics.
Dr Mike was the team physician for the Vancouver Canucks from
1999 - 2016, as well as the team physician for the Canadian and BC
Senior Rugby Teams from 1998 - 2007. He is also a founding
member of the BC Sports Cardiology Centre.
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HOUSTON, MEET
MOZAMBIK
One of South Africa's Portuguese-themed restaurant chains,
Mozambik, is opening its first North American branch in Houston,
Texas. The opening, at 1201 Lake Woodlands, is set for 10
September 2021, and comes after another South African-themed
restaurant in Houston, Peli Peli, closes down on 05 September
2021. Ryan Stewart (aka Chef Rhyno) at Peli Peli will now lead the
US expansion for Mozambik as CEO. Originally from
Johannesburg, he moved to Houston in 2018 as a consultant for Peli
Peli and later became its executive chef.
Peli Peli was founded in Houston in 2009 by another South African,
Paul Friedman who had immigrated to the US in the early 1980s,
and a local partner Thomas Nguyen, a former attorney. Paul
previously founded Paul's Pizza Shops in Houston in 1994. At one
stage, Peli Peli had six locations.
Mozambik was started as a 40-seat restaurant by Luis Ferreira in
2005 in Ballito. Just over a year later, Brett Michielin had a meal at
the restaurant. Afterwards, he asked Luis if he wanted a partner.
Initially, Luis said no, but changed his mind two days later. Brett
resigned from his job at Ocean Basket and joined Mozambik as a
chef. A few months later, Luis later sold his share to Brett. In 2008
Ryan Stewart joined the company. The Ballito branch is now a 450-
seat restaurant. There are now 24 branches in South Africa. In 2020
the first international branch was opened in Lusaka. The menu is
still inspired by the Afro-Porto fusion of Mozambique. Brett has
also developed a range of branded bastings, sauces and rubbing
spices.
The Houston Mozambik will feature South African wines, as well
as Mozambik's Tipo Tinto rum and its popular drink made with the
rum and Sparletta Sparberry.
IN THE US NAVY
Zenka Yodice, originally from
Amanzimtoti, serving as a
personnel specialist with the US
Navy's Patrol Squadron Five, a
maritime patrol and
reconnaissance squadron ,
based out of Naval Air Station
Jacksonville, Florida. Petty
Officer 3rd Class Yodice joined
the Navy a year ago, after
completing boot camp as the
top recruit.
Zenka graduated from Kuswag
High School in 2006. In
addition to her Navy duties, she
enjoys fire dancing, which she
learnt during her teen years.
Boerewors Express ● September 2021 3