“It’s all about the love and passion that I put into food,” says Phumla Magojo, the person behind the legendary Durban Country Club meat pies. She adds that the wonderful flavour is down to “using the freshest ingredients and how you play with your seasoning”.

“I’m just a girl from Umlazi township who was born into a family of cooks. When I say that, I mean that my grandfather was a private cook for a household back in the day. My mother inherited his passion and as a little girl, I began to develop the same love for cooking, always helping in the kitchen and learning new things.

“After school, I pursued my passion by going to ICESA College to do a hotel catering management course. I did my in-service at the Tropicana Hotel in Durban and thereafter I worked in hotels gaining more experience.

“In 2008 I was employed by Durban Country Club as a CDP chef in the hot kitchen, where I was taught to prepare items and in particular, the fillings for pies. I left in 2015 to start a home-run business, but in 2016, the club offered me the opportunity to return. I grabbed it with both hands as I had developed a special love for the club.

“I assisted in the prep kitchen, mostly catering for functions and thereby learning a new area of catering. Part of my work involved making the pies.

“Sadly, in 2021 I, along with several staff members, was retrenched due to the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. I then started a catering business from home, assisting with local requirements for parties, weddings, etc.

“I did not hesitate to grab the chance to return to the club when I received a phone call from Desiree Stone when she was appointed the new GM. She wanted pies, and I gave her pies!

“Many of my chef colleagues and I regard our proudly made pies as the Signature Pie of Durban Country Club. So many compliments have been given and myself and my team are proud to serve the pies.

“I train the staff who work alongside me on a daily basis to ensure we keep the quality of these pies at the standard our members know them to be. All I can say is, come and try them, you will love them!

“I love Durban Country Club and the whole team, along with the members. Everyone is so friendly and you always feel the love. It is a great place.

“I never dreamed that a woman like me from the township of Umlazi would get such a great opportunity to shine in such a top-notch place.”

IMAGES: ernest blignault/golfrsa