Introducing Saxon Tilling - Class of 2021
Saxon Tilling / Photo: Kathy Pitout Photography
Saxon Tilling
1. What inspired you to enrol at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine?
Jackie Cameron is the top female chef in the country. Ever since I was a child it has been my dream to join the culinary industry, and I feel that this is the best place to gain the knowledge I seek - and follow in the footsteps of a chef who has tremendous experience.
2. What is your reason for choosing a career in the culinary industry?
I believe that food has the ability to bring many people together, being able to create dishes while using my creativity, as well as cooking a meal that people enjoy, are the main reasons I decided that the culinary field was for me.
3. What are you hoping to achieve here?
I am hoping that by the end of my course, I will have gained the knowledge I have always wanted to be exposed to. I hope to gain new skills and a better understanding of food in the hope of creating a future in the kitchen.
4. Explain what you are prepared to give of yourself.
I hope to leave no stone unturned within this course. I am prepared to give my all because this is a future I have strived to achieve. I am willing to go above and beyond to make sure that I gain the experience being offered to me.
5. What is your long-term goal?
My future plans are not set in stone, although at this point in my life, my hope for the future is to find a job overseas on a yacht in order to gain more experience - as well as earn some money. This money will come in handy when I plan to relocate to Cape Town, where I hope to start my own café as the head chef.
6. In how many years do you hope to achieve this?
I do not have a set time frame as I am willing to work as much as I can until I achieve my goals. Whether it be in the next 10 years or the next 20 years, as long as I achieved what I have set out to do, I’ll be satisfied.
7. Are you aware that the pressure you’ll be placed under during the course will help you achieve your goal? Elaborate on your ability to cope with pressure.
I have been told many times that the culinary field is a tough because there is so much that needs to be put into this career in order to succeed. I have never been put off of the career no matter how many people told me I wouldn’t be able to handle it.
8. Do you shy away from hard work? Elaborate on your answer.
I will never shy away from any challenge thrown at me in order to release my full potential. I may struggle doing the tasks handed to me, but I know for certain I will give my all no matter what.
9. Are you willing to perform all tasks related to the course – even if you consider the task menial? Give the reason for your answer.
Being in the culinary field I know that there will be many things that I will struggle with, but I am willing to do my best to do the tasks to my best ability in order to succeed. I understand that some tasks will be easier than others, but I will throw myself at all tasks with the same energy in order to succeed.
10. Are you aware that the hospitality industry requires you to work on weekends and public holidays while guests ‘play’? Comment on this.
I know the kitchen is a job that is ‘behind the scenes’, but this does not matter to me as I am giving my all to produce a meal for people to enjoy. Although I will have to sacrifice much free time, I know that I will be doing something I really enjoy, and that is being in the kitchen.
11. Who is your favourite international ‘foodie’?
George Calombaris.
12. If food had a personality, what dish would be most like you – and why?
Peri-peri chicken livers. I believe that this represents me and my personality perfectly as I love to have a little bit of spice and flavour in my life - exactly like livers. Livers have an acquired taste and not everyone enjoys them but those who do appreciate them a lot.
13. Where were you born and raised?
I was born and raised in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.
14. Apart from food what hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy spending time in the water, whether at the beach or in my own swimming pool. I also enjoy spending my time socialising with friends and family.
15. What dish do find least inspiring? Explain the reason.
Bangers and mash. I believe this a most uninspiring dish. For me, the flavours are one dimensional.
16. Name four celebrities you’d like to have at your dinner table. Explain why.
Gordon Ramsay, Billie Eilish, Robert Downey Jnr and Michael Jordan. I have chosen these four celebrities because they all have worked extremely hard to reach certain goals no matter what it took. This is inspiring… to put in the hard work in order to reach my goal.