Lentswe Bhengu is a South African celebrity chef and television personality with a passion for food and culture.
He has hosted several cooking shows and events, showcasing his talent and creativity in the culinary arts.
He is also a host, judge and author who shares his love of African cuisine with the world. He is admired and respected by many for his skill, charisma and generosity.
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- Full name: Lentswe Bhengu
- Date of birth: July 22, 1986
- Date of death: February 28, 2023
- Age at death: 36 years old (time of death)
- Gender: Male
- Place of birth: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Nationality: South African
- Occupation: Chef and TV presenter
- Height: 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
- Parents: None
- Siblings: None
- Spouse: None
- Children: None
- Relationship status: None
- Net worth: $3.5 million
Early life and education
Lentswe Bhengu, 36 years old at the time of his death, was born on 22 July 1986 in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
He developed an interest in food and eating from an early age and learned to cook by following his mother into the kitchen. He attended Crawford College in Durban where he excelled in both academics and sports.
He then moved to Cape Town to pursue his dream of becoming a professional chef and enrolled at the Culinary Academy in the Cape Winelands.
He graduated with a professional chef and pastry degree in 2008.
Personal life
Lentswe Bhengu is very private about his personal life and does not reveal much about his family, relationships or marital status.
He is known to be a friendly, humble and generous person who loves to travel and explore different cultures and cuisines. He is also a devout Christian, believes in God and prays daily.
He enjoys spending time with friends and colleagues, who describe him as fun-loving, adventurous and supportive.
He is also a philanthropist who has supported various causes and charities, such as the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme.
Career
Lentswe Bhengu has had a successful and varied career in the culinary and media industries.
He began his career as a chef at some of South Africa’s top restaurants, such as The Roundhouse, The Test Kitchen and The Pot Luck Club.
He then tried his hand in television and became a host, presenter and judge for many culinary shows and events.
He is best known for his show Africa on a Plate, which airs on The Africa Channel and features his journeys across the continent, exploring and celebrating its rich and diverse culinary heritage.
He also hosted the second series of The Great South African Bake Off, a baking competition show on BBC Lifestyle, in 2016.
He is a judge on Flava Queens, a reality cooking show featuring women from different backgrounds and regions competing to be the best chef in South Africa.
He is also the host of Kasi Kitchen, a local cooking TV show focusing on local cuisine and culture.
He has also appeared as a guest chef on various shows such as Top Billing, Expresso and Afternoon Express. He is also a speaker and performer at many food festivals, events and exhibitions such as the Good Food and Wine Show, Delicious Festival and the Cape Town International Jazz Festival.
He is also the author of a cookbook called Africa on a Plate, due out in 2024. He is also a brand ambassador for a number of products and companies, such as Knorr, McCain, and Samsung.
Net worth
At the time of his death, Lentswe Bhengu had an estimated net worth of $3.5 million.
He earned his wealth from his career as a chef, television presenter, and from advertising and sponsorship deals.
Death
Lentswe Bhengu died on 28 February 2023, after a short illness.
He was taken to Netcare Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, where he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
His death was a shock and loss to the culinary and media industry as well as his fans and followers.
Many people have mourned and remembered him, including family, friends, colleagues and celebrities, who have paid tribute to him on social media and in the press.
He was buried at Westpark Cemetery in Johannesburg on 6 March 2023.
Social media
Lentswe Bhengu is active and popular on social media, with a large and loyal fan base. He has the following social media accounts:
- Instagram handle: @lentswebhengu
- Twitter Name: @LentsweBhengu
List of movies played
- Africa on a plate
- South Africa’s Biggest Cooking Competition
- Queen of flavors
- Kasi Kitchen
- Top Payments
- Espresso
