Who is Stuart McClarty aka The Chef
Stuart McClarty is a passionate entrepreneur, baker and chef with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He obtained his Professional Cookery Diploma through an apprenticeship with Southern Sun. Stuart also studied in London at Westminster College to obtain his City & Guilds in Pastry and Confectionery.
Stuart has a desire for knowledge and has completed a few short courses at Gibbs, the most significant course being Financial Management. Stuart has continued his craving for learning by completing a photographic editing course
Stuart owned his own bakery and restaurants for many years supplying the top restaurants of Johannesburg and for the past number of years has been consulting to the hospitality industry in varying roles.
· Ultimate Braai Master Season 8 – Head of Culinary. Designing the challenges and ensuring the pantry is packed and supplied with food
MasterChef SA, assistant culinary producer. Designing the challenges and the outside production
· Africa Games in Brazzaville; Menu design and procurement, feeding 10000 people 3 meals a day for 30 days
Tibet Mountain Bike tour cooking for 15 people high in the Himalayas
· Hoedspruit film catering; setting up kitchens on the side of a mountain to feed 400 people for 3 months.
· Olympia Café; Long-term consultant, with specific focus on menu and business development as well as continued staff training.
· The Bush Camp Company – Mfuwe Lodge (menu design, kitchen reorganisation, staff training)
Stuart has a keen sense of entrepreneurship and constantly seeks problem solving opportunity and identifying teaching moments. Stuart has a passion for imparting knowledge and encouraging the people around him to achieve great things.
Stuart has created and developed a number of unique products that have gone on to become signature lines, such as a butternut ciabatta, seed bars (lint, sesame, poppy and sunflower seeds on a sweet biscuit base) to name a few.
Stuart has an ability to recognize the larger vision of the project while at the same time being grasping the finer details required to ensure the project’s success.
Stuart is a founding member of the South African Bakers Association and is a Fellow of the South African Chefs Association as well as being a WACS Judge. He has also done various events for the South African Chefs Association as MC.