The mama whose cookies have gone viral in Cape Town
You might not know Mama Bongi (aka Sibonginkosi Msipha) yet, but we can guarantee you’ve heard about her famous cookies. This week, we’re getting to know the face and story behind the cookies that have stolen Cape Town’s heart.
1. Can you tell us how your cookie business started?
I started by making cookies for my mentor’s clients, which she used to deliver. They loved them so much and started asking if they could buy my cookies. This is how the idea of starting my business started. My mentor, Julia, helped me get started, and she helps me with the business development while I concentrate on the baking.
2. What makes your cookies special? Can you share any feedback you've gotten from clients?
I think people love my cookies because they are chunky with lots of choc chips. They are crunchy but soft in the middle and they’re a good dunking cookie. My clients love them and often say they’re the “best choc chip cookies ever”. UCook referred to them as “one of the best choc-chip cookies in the country”.
3. What’s been your favourite part of starting your cookie company?
My best part is being those beautiful cookies come out of the oven when they are sizzling hot and they smell amazing. Also the feedback from the clients has been so overwhelming with all the love and support.
4. You’re also offering cooking lessons, can you tell us a little about them?
I always dreamed of being a teacher and the cooking lessons allow me to lift up and teach others to cook with me. This is a dream come true for me. I have also always loved cooking and I love to see people enjoy my food, and help others to do the same. I teach housekeepers to cook. I will come into their kitchen and teach them where they feel comfortable. I teach anything from roast chicken and veg, to chicken korma, coconut-and-lemongrass chicken bake, pork-and-sweet potato pie, and one of my specialities is challah bread. I also love stir-fries and my spinach-and-feta phyllo pastry pie.
5. What's next for Mama Bongi? Would you ever expand into making different cookies or baked goods for example?
We are very busy with orders of just our one cookie, but I think the next thing might be a vegan choc-chip cookie. I would love to create more jobs for people like me so if we can do that, then this will support my dream.
Keep up with Mama Bongi by following her on Instagram.
mamabongi.co.za
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