In partnership with Defy

Meet Lauren Bantom (21). She grew up in Garden Village, Maitland. After attending both primary and high school in Pinelands, she matriculated in 2017 and, shortly after, discovered her passion for food.

She is currently interning at Mochi Mochi in Cape Town and is thoroughly enjoying every minute of her time there. What she enjoys the most about being in the kitchen is that each day holds a new opportunity to learn something new, make a difference and, ultimately, that’s what she strives for – making a difference.

She would love the chance to travel some day and, with that in mind, she sees herself as a head chef working abroad in the future, whether it be on a yacht or a cruise liner. Lauren dreams of becoming a pastry chef and is inspired by Jackie Cameron’s success in what is historically a very male-dominated industry.

Thank you to Defy – the future pioneers of young talent – for their passion and commitment towards community upliftment.

Defy have kindly sponsored the students’ accredited curriculum for 2021 and we are so grateful for their kind support.