Former Eastern Cape schoolgirl Gabriella Westraadt is laying the foundation for a fine future career in food. Gabriella, also known as Gabi, who matriculated from Union High in Graaff-Reinet in 2010, has completed a two-year associate degree at the prestigious Walnut Hill Culinary Academy in Philadelphia in the US. On August 28, she will embark on the two-year journey of finishing her bachelors of science degree at the same college.
Gabi, 25, was one of only three students to graduate summa cum laude – the highest level of academic achievement – when she received her associate degree in July. In addition, Gabi, whose parents Raymond and Niki Westraadt live in Port Elizabeth, was named class valedictorian.
A further award of the Spirit of the Industry was bestowed on her and she received a student leader accolade. Gabi left SA in 2014 to au pair in the US after spending two years assisting at Woodridge College and then St Anne’s in KwaZulu-Natal.While au pairing in Philadelphia, she attended a bread-making class at Walnut Hill – and loved it so much it became her dream to study culinary arts full time. Her host mother, Vanessa Lowry, made it possible for her to enrol and she started her studies in February 2017.
“I fell in love with yeast and flour, and here I am,” said Gabi, who got married on Valentine’s Day and whose husband, John Colberg, supports her in all her efforts in and out of the kitchen. Gabi’s culinary prowess runs in the family as Raymond, an artist, and Niki created the popular Lavender Barn in Port Elizabeth in 2003, after which they moved to the Karoo so Gabi could attend Union High. “When my parents owned Lavender Barn, I was constantly in the kitchen and underfoot wanting to be a part of the action,” Gabi said. “Growing up in the establishments my mom has owned and run, has definitely influenced me.
“I’ve always eaten for flavour and less for consumption’s sake, and my parents encouraged me to try everything even if I was a little reluctant a lot of the time,” she chuckled. In Graaff-Reinet, the Westraadts owned the Coral Tree restaurant, followed by a gallery called Chocolat!, which they combined with chocolates from Huguenot in Franschoek.
After Gabi matriculated, the family returned to PE where Raymond and Niki have continued with art and chocolates under the Chocolat! banner while also catering for functions with their chocolates, savouries and Nespresso coffee stations.“If I had to say food was my first passion, kids have to be a close runner-up,” Gabi said. “I love working with children and I’m working towards being able to teach pastry full time at some point in the future.”