Siba gets worldwide recognition

GLOBAL HONOURS: Siba Mtongana scooped two awards at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in China. Picture: Tracey Adams

GLOBAL HONOURS: Siba Mtongana scooped two awards at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in China. Picture: Tracey Adams

Published May 29, 2017

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Siba Mtongana's table just keeps getting longer and longer – with accolades.

The celebrity chef recently scooped two awards at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in China.

She took home the TV: International Food Show Woman Award and the Prestige Award: Special Award of the Jury.

The awards were launched in 1995 to honour the very best food and wine books in the world - printed or digital - and this year received entries from more than 200 countries.

“The highlight was winning the prestige award for my cookbook, My Table, which is a country recognition and the only one from the continent to receive that honour,” said the bubbly chef on her social media pages.

Mtongana is a successful businesswoman and founder of The Siba Co, which produced her award-winning book.

Her cooking show, Siba's Table, is one of the most popular on the Food Network, which airs in over 130 countries in Africa, Europe, the US, the Middle East, Australia and Asia.

Mtongana is also the first South African to have her own show on The Cooking Channel, which reaches 60 million households in the US alone.

My Table, her first book, made history in South Africa by becoming the best-selling cookbook ever at Woolworths.

“What a privilege on the tail of Africa Month to represent my country and continent among the world greats in the culinary industry.

"The Siba Co is excited to contribute, collaborate and create innovative food experiences and take them to the world. Thank you to each and everyone of you who bought a copy of my book... Mzansi, We did it!” wrote Mtongana alongside two images of her in Yantai, China, holding up her awards.

Mtongana was born in Mdantsane, Eastern Cape, and has become the "go to" person for everything foodie.

She said her vision was to be a good ambassador both for her country and the African continent.

“There is so much young Africans have to contribute to the global community. It's my goal to represent and showcase the continent's drive, innovation and skill on the international stage.

"Participating in the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards is just one way in which to do that,” she said.

The 32-year-old mother-of-three said she felt honoured to be celebrated.

“Just being at the ceremony was an amazing experience and I'm delighted My Table has received the recognition it has. Watch this space for more exciting developments.”

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