Having lived in Mondeor all his life, Justin identified a need for a local community deli in the immediate area and pursued his passion by starting his own business. He left the corporate hospitality environment and entered the world of entrepreneurship.
From an early age, being involved in his parents’ restaurant, Justin knew that he wanted to be a chef. In 2007, he joined HTA School of Culinary Arts, studying French cuisine and developing a passion for training and teaching others how to cook.
Through hard work and determination, Justin earned his spot in the Junior Culinary Team SA at the age of 23 and competed in Germany for the 2012 Culinary Olympics. He later competed with the Senior team, bringing home a bronze medal and first place in Kitchen Hygiene at the Dubai World Hospitality Championship in 2013.
In addition to his rigorous training and learning absolute discipline in the kitchen, Justin worked with major hospitality names such as Delmont Caldow, Turbine Hall, the Westcliff Hotel (assisting in opening their current deli), and Parkview Golf Club, learning the fundamentals and many facets of running a culinary business.
In 2019, Justin decided to leave the comforts of corporate life and take on the new challenge of his own business – The Chef Pantry, a small café and deli that opened in January 2020.
Hit by the worldwide COVID lockdown, the business had to adapt and evolved into a daily meal delivery and popular catering service.
In 2022, Justin and his family relocated to the beautiful town of Port Alfred on the Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape, where he introduced The Chef Pantry services and quickly made a name for the company with the locals.
Two years later, in 2024, came the opportunity to open a full-fledged restaurant and introduce a fresh Mediterranean-inspired menu. And the rest is history in the making.