Chef Rino story
I would like to introduce Rinomazenge
Rino Tjiposa-Muhuka-Muniovandu, a good cook I know.
Chef Rino teaches science at the
first secondary school in Kaokoland, but today's tale isn't about her work as a
teacher; instead, it's about her side gig as a cook. I'm not very good at
cooking, but I can always appreciate those that are! I'll tell you about a
friend of mine who is an excellent cook, how I met her, what she can make, and
why I think she is so good at it. This person is one of my friends; we weren't
in the same secondary school, but our schools were close by. As we've gotten to
know each other better over the years, we now hang out together. She's the best
baker, and when I saw her cake on social media for the first time, I asked her
who made it. She replied that she did. She asked if we might have lunch at the
Kaokoland restaurant one day while I was in our hometown, Rocky and Dusty town.
She took me out to lunch and told me about how she first became a chef. She
informed me that the Chef named Rauha Angel Hanai taught her how to bake and Chef Rino
actually paid for the lesson that Rauha Angel Hanai taught her how to bake. The beautiful
thing about her is that she chose to do it because she loved it, not because
other people were doing it. It's fortunate that she can cook because she owns
her own business manufacturing custom biscuits that are meticulously
embellished with unique designs. But, she also manages a busy home and
frequently prepares great, healthy meals for her family.
I assumed she was merely skilled at
baking birthday cakes, but it turns out that her husband and I share the same
peer group, Otjiuondo tjoNjose yOngua yaKaoko, and that we are also the same
age. We were talking about various things when I started to inquire about his
plans for lunch. He replied that he didn't think he would go out to eat because
he already had everything he needed at home. I asked him what kind of cuisine
he was talking about because I didn't understand him, and he replied that his
wife can make any type of Namibian meal at any moment. My friend can cook
anything, wherever, it seems! She bakes her own birthday cakes and uses herbs
and eggs to instantly create a dinner. She prepares healthy meals and,
thankfully for me, appears to like hosting unexpected visitors as well. She
bakes incredibly delicious chocolate and orange cakes, and both her friends and
customers adore her biscuits. Yet, the cake she recently prepared for my Ipi-Lu
remains a favourite in my book. She informed me that she is open to
collaborating with anyone who wants to do so.
I first heard about having dinner at
Chef Rino's place during the Opuwo Trade Fair. I joined the group in order to
visit and observe what goes on there. Chef Rino had prepared it beforehand. In
addition to some delectable fried halloumi cheese, she prepared for us using a
tiny gas burner, a saucepan, and some chopped red peppers, onions, and other
veggies. She even had the bright idea to pack a little salad dressing and some
form of cloth to hold it all together. We enjoyed the late-afternoon light and
our food after a short while. Nothing compares to a "meal eaten
outside" after exerting one's body, standing at the Trade Fair the whole
day.
I just overheard Chef Rino stating
"Thank you for visiting, see you again next time" as I was wondering
how we were going to pay. The next guy to hear me questioned, "Are we not
going to pay anything?" Another guy also, asked if he was going to pay
anything. She responded, "Don't worry, you'll pay next. That one was just
for you all as my visit." Ipi-Lu's mother used to cook me nice food, but
that was the second delicious meal I got for free. Always patronize local
businesses, I used to advise, since they might offer you something for free or
on credit if you run out of money.
Why is she such a skilled cook? She
has a lot of experience, she enjoys doing it, and it is both her work and her
passion, in my opinion. Because she frequently makes relatively basic foods
that are tasty, healthful, and elegantly presented (though not overly so), I
believe she is good. A really outstanding cook, in my opinion, is also calm,
unhurried, and eager to share the fruits of her labour. She is someone I
consider to be incredibly blessed to have met, and I occasionally feel bad that
I don't cook or can I say I do not know how to cook. It appears that being a
consistently grateful consumer is my contribution. Although difficult, it must
be done by someone.
Words cannot express how fantastic
the cake you made turned out. Your cakes are always beyond amazing; they
surpass all expectations. I can't express my gratitude to you both enough for
working so hard to make the most gorgeous wedding and birthday cakes! Your
cakes can pass the red line, which indicates they can be consumed in different
regions, and I hope one day that my friend English Simataa Kawana would test
this claim in Katima. You said this to me one day.
Let's help each other out and support
the little companies in our community. If someone has failed someplace, we
shouldn't be scared to encourage them to do better. Chef Rino works with people
who own businesses similar to yours, asks for feedback from consumers about
areas you can improve, and offers reasonable training to those who want it. I
used to say the following phrases consistently:
·
A
large company often begins small.
·
Every
little thing you buy has a significant impact.
·
Shopping
locally has positive effects.
·
Shop
locally in a world where you can purchase anywhere.
·
You
support a dream when you patronize a small business.
Chef Rino Congratulations! Your
persistence and zeal as you pursue success are contagious. I appreciate all the
people you helped along the way to victory.
The author
Uerimanga Tjijombo
The Himbacracy Philosopher
