Seithati Motšoeneng
KFC Lesotho has honoured six of its top-performing cooks and cashiers from restaurants nationwide, at an awards ceremony celebrating excellence, skill and commitment.
The awards, held at KFC Maseru Mall on Friday, saw frontline employees compete for top honours based on their in-store performance. The six winners received cash prizes in recognition of what the company described as “stellar workmanship” that has contributed to the brand’s success nationwide.
Topping the list was Rethabile Seqhobo, named the Grand Prize Winner. He walked away with M5000 and the coveted Master Cook beige jacket, a symbol of KFC’s highest culinary standard. Rethabile Moaboee finished second and received M3000, while Mafaleng Mohlomi bagged third place with M2000. Three other staff members were also recognised among the six national winners for their outstanding contributions as cooks and cashiers, with the company noting that competition was particularly close this year.
The Master Cook competition is one of KFC’s flagship internal programmes across Africa. National winners go on to represent their countries in regional contests, giving employees an opportunity to develop their skills and advance within the company.
For Seqhobo, the victory carried particular meaning. Speaking after receiving his award, he recalled falling short in 2023, when he lost to the then African Master Cook winner in the competition.
“I am proud of this win,” Seqhobo said. “Since 2023, I never lost hope of becoming the Master Cook myself. That loss pushed me to work harder, to perfect my craft in the kitchen. Today I have been crowned Master Cook, and it feels like all the practice has paid off.”
Seqhobo said he hoped to use his new title to mentor younger team members. “It is not just about cooking fast. It is about doing it right every single time, because that is what the customer expects when they walk into KFC,” he said.
Contestants in the national competition were judged on two key measures: their ability to follow KFC’s preparation procedures precisely, and the speed with which they could deliver meals without compromising quality. Judges observed employees during live service simulations, assessing consistency, food safety and customer service.
KFC Lesotho General Country Manager, Trymore Machimo, said the awards were about more than celebrating individual performance – they also served as a reminder of what sets the brand apart in a competitive market.
“As KFC, we pride ourselves on our twelve secret spices and ingredients,” Machimo said. “But we also say our people are part of that secret. Our employees play an integral part in making the delectable chicken that we sell to our customers every day. That is why we count them as one of our secret spices.”
Machimo said publicly recognising employees reinforced KFC Lesotho’s commitment to developing local talent while maintaining global standards across its restaurants, from Maseru to the districts. He said the cooks and cashiers honoured this year represented thousands of hours of training, attention to detail on the fry line and countless customer interactions at the tills – all of which help keep customers coming back.