‘It’s changing lives’ – You voted and Food Lover’s Market and Chef Rozanne donate R25 000 to Khayalethu Youth Centre

Feed Mzansi might have crossed the finish line, but it’s the victory lap for Khayalethu Youth Centre

We travelled thousands of kilometres between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Gqeberha, feeding close to 1000 children along the way, and after thousands voted and submitted entries for their favourite chef, Chef Rozanne Taljaard and Food Lover’s Market Moffett Retail Park came out on top with the most entries – donating the R25 000 prize to the Khayalethu Youth Centre.

Chef Rozanne’s sticky chicken drumsticks were not only a finger-licking hit with the 40 boys of Khayalethu Youth Centre, but her generous spirit warmed the hearts of the community.

A little over 12 weeks ago, the country’s most-loved chefs and foodies partnered with Food Lover’s Market on an adventure with a purpose, cooking nutritious, hearty meals for hungry children across South Africa.  

Chef Rozanne, a food consultant from the Windy City, joined hands with Food Lover’s Market Moffett Retail Park, and the Khayalethu Youth Centre, preparing a delicious recipe that had the children licking their fingers with delight.  

Describing the experience as “soulful,” an overjoyed Chef Rozanne said: “It’s incredible to be included in such an amazing initiative. It’s been an incredible experience.”

“I’m pleased that a small city won it. I’m pleased that the community that we live in, our friends, our family, our neighbours, our son’s friends, colleagues, everybody pitched in to help.”

Dr Marietjie van der Merwe, director of ACVV Khayalethu Child and Youth Care Centre described the moment she received the phone call, saying she got a big lump in her throat. “It was really the best news that I could have gotten that day.”

Trying to put the magnitude of Food Lover’s Market’s contribution into words, she says: “For a company, or a sponsor, or a donor it’s just R25 000, but for us, it’s changing lives.”

“This R25 000 is changing a generation because that boy will be able to go out and have some education and have a skill and have a job and he will be able to take care of his family and break that chain.”

For Food Lover’s as a brand, being part of the community is what they thrive on, says store manager of Food Lover’s Market Moffet Retail Park, Geraldine Joubert, who presented Khayalethu Youth Centre with their prize.

“It was exciting to know that we were going to be something more than just Food Lover’s Market. We were going to be part of warming bellies – children who are our future. What better way than to give them a healthy meal? Cause that’s what we stand for. Fresh, fresh and fresh,” said Geraldine.

Our journey across the country might have come to an end, but Food Lover's Market's commitment to making a difference in the lives of young South Africans is far from over.

Read more about our CSI division on our website: foodloversmarket.co.za/earth-lovers/.

Keep an eye out to see where the road leads next!