Gigi Restaurant - Waterfall Corner

Born and raised in Botshabelo, a small township outside Bloemfontein, Moses Maloi studied his culinary Diploma at the Olive Chef School.

Fuelled by an insatiable passion for the culinary arts and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, Chef Moses has honed his craft at both local and international culinary establishments. With each experience, he sharpened his skills, forging an impressive culinary repertoire.

Since 2021, Chef Moses has emerged as a beloved figure in South African’s culinary landscape, earning acclaim as one of the world’s foremost chefs. His talents have earned him accolades and recognition, both domestically and abroad. It’s been an exciting few months for the immensely talented Moses Moloi, the young chef who has cut his teeth under the mentorship of some of South Africa’s culinary greats, including Peter Tempelhoff and David Higgs. Last year he was awarded the 85th position on the global platform The Best Chef Awards and this year he has Joburg abuzz with the opening of his new restaurant Gigi, in Waterfall City.

The 8th edition of The Best Chef Awards culminated in a spectacular ceremony at the luxurious Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, honouring 550 chefs from 61 countries, making it the largest edition to date.

Nine South African chefs were recognised among the world’s best: Peter Tempelhoff (FYN, Cape Town), Johannes Richter (The LivingRoom, Durban), James Gaag (La Colombe, Cape Town), Moses Moloi (Gigi, Johannesburg), Wandile Mabaso (Les Creatifs, Johannesburg), Katlego Mlambo (Flames, Four Seasons Johannesburg), Callan Austin (Dusk, Stellenbosch), Mmabatho Molefe (formerly Emazulwini, Cape Town), and Rikku O’Donnchu (Riku Chef’s Counter, Cape Town).

In a shift from previous years, the organisation has moved from a ranking system to a rating system, awarding chefs one, two, or three knives. In this system, three knives represent top-tier culinary mastery, two knives signify world-class excellence, and one knife denotes exceptional culinary skills. Tempelhoff, Gaag, and Moloi attained two knives, while Richter, Molefe, Mlambo, Mabaso, Austin, and O’Donnchu were awarded one knife.

Moses Moloi is refreshingly humble, having worked from the bottom up, giving recognition to every opportunity he’s been afforded and, more importantly, having risen to every challenge.

Like most venerated chefs in South Africa, his journey to culinary fame started in Cape Town, at FYN restaurant, under the guidance of his mentor, Chef Peter Tempelhoff. Moloi speaks of Tempelhoff with such admiration and affection that it’s clear his impact goes far beyond the kitchen. Moloi then smiles as he mentions Chef David Higgs and the opportunity he afforded him at Zioux, with similar gratitude.