Jewish Life Digital Edition November 2014 | Page 61

Lonely, lost and depressed, Steve moved
down to Cape Town to live with his parents. It was there that he ‘graduated’ to
crack cocaine. When he returned to
Jo’burg three years later, hoping to see
more of his children, he was in bad shape.
Any money he made went to alcohol and
crack-houses in Hillbrow. “I felt dead inside. The drug had overtaken my life.” His
lowest point came when his ex-wife and
her new husband immigrated to Australia,
taking his sons with them.
For Steve it really was darkest just before the dawn. He met a wonderful, cleanliving and caring woman, whom he later
married. She made him realise that his
road to self-destruction would end in an
early death unless he sought help. But
waiting lists at government rehabilitation
facilities were long, and none would assist.
A real eureka moment occurred when she
said one day, “But wait a moment, you’re
Jewish. The Chev will help you!”
And the Chev did help.
Steve walked 13km every week, from
Bedfordview, to see his social worker. “I was
40 years old and finally determined to stop
drugging. The Chev was providing me with
regular free counselling and money for food
and rent. It was a lifeline I couldn’t afford to
waste. I was running out of time.”
He had turned a corner and the signpost
ahead read ‘hope’. Steve did well. After a
while, his social worker suggested he join
the World of Work – the Chev’s protected
employment programme that would give
him the opportunity to learn skills, develop self-confidence and build self-esteem.
He started as a store man in the Sandringham Gardens kitchen, at a nominal salary,
over and above his subsidy.
It was 2003 and a new beginning – a
chance to become the person he knew he
should be. “I worked really hard,” says Steve,
“determined to prove – to myself more than
anyone else – that I was worthy.” Within a
year, he was promoted to stores manager
and offered a full-time job on the Chev payroll, at a real salary. No more protected employment for him! Though he continued to
be sent for random drug testing, he never
minded. He was clean and, for the first time
since he could remember, excited about life.
It’s a funny thing about Jews, how we love
to feed people! It expresses nurturing, caring
and comforting – ‘mothering’ and protecting.
“I had always enjoyed cooking. Working
in stores I watched what went on in the

kitchens from the sidelines and longed to
be a part of it.” And then a position became available – that of assistant catering
manager. Steve applied for the job and got
it. Several happy, productive years went by,
and when the catering manager became
the food and beverage manager, Steve finally had his dream job. He was promoted
to group catering manager in November
2013. He was home!
Dream job aside, we all know this is no
small responsibility, no walk in the park. I
asked Steve to tell me about his greatest
challenges and accomplishments – the
best and worst that his job brings to him.
“Budget restrictions are, without a
doubt, my biggest challenge. Group catering costs are R25.6 million annually. Our
kitchens feed, on average, 1 000 people every day, and even though 75% of them are
unable to pay their way, still our food has
to be kosher, nourishing, varied and appealing.” Clearly that’s a fine balancing act.
One of his happiest achievements came
when he recently consulted a professional
dietician about his carefully crafted menus,
and found she was delighted with the nutritional value of the choices on offer. Another
source of pride is that he’s brought wastage
right down to between 2% and 3%.
Steve encourages communication with
his residents. A survey he sent out not long
ago revealed some preferences that were
simple to implement. “The Chev residences
are their only homes. It’s important that
they’re comfortable and that they enjoy
their meals. I feel that responsibility.”
The Sandringham Gardens kitchen is the
control centre for Chev Group catering, and
it is from there that both cooked and uncooked foods are sent daily to Our Parents
Home, Selwyn Segal, Kibbutz Lubner, Arca-

dia, The Capri, Lodge and Square. That
kitchen also provides kosher meals to provincial hospitals and to institutions that
house Chev clients. In addition, 700 meals
are ordered weekly for Kosher Mobile
Meals. The Chev packs and distributes close
to 200 food parcels every week to families
in need, and many more over the festivals.
“We deal in massive quantities and all
purchases are centralised,” explains Steve.
Such great buying power naturally facilitates excellent bulk discounts, which ultimately save the community about R7 million each year. Also, generous Jewish suppliers offer the Chev special prices.”
The Chev’s culture of staff appreciation
and providing opportunities for training and
advancement is exemplified in the catering
department. There are 100 kitchen workers
throughout the organisation, and Steve believes in showing appreciation. “They know
they have my full respect, support and trust.
I value ѡ