SayPro Ensure all interview questions align with the goals of the SayPro Monthly Chef Interviews and are tailored to each finalist’s specific expertise

✅ SayPro Alignment Goals:

🔧 Tailoring Strategy (Per Finalist)

1. Collect Background Details

Gather this info before the interview:

• Finalist’s culinary specialty (e.g., pastry, African fusion, fine dining, plant-based)
• Country/region of origin
• Key dish presented in the SayPro challenge
• Known techniques or styles
• Career milestones or current role

2. Adjust Questions Based on Profile

✳️ Example 1 – Finalist: Lebo Mokoena (South Africa, Traditional African Cuisine)

Tailored Questions:

• “How do you modernize traditional African cooking techniques for today’s audience?”
• “Can you walk us through the preparation process of your competition dish, Seshebo with Pap and Morogo?”
• “What family traditions do you bring into your kitchen?”
• “In what ways has SayPro helped you amplify African culinary identity?”

✳️ Example 2 – Finalist: Emilia Costa (Portugal, Pastry & Confectionery)

Tailored Questions:

• “What pastry technique took you the longest to perfect?”
• “Your lemon-almond tart stood out in the competition—what inspired that combination?”
• “What’s the story behind your interest in pastry over savory cuisine?”
• “How do you blend classical French methods with Portuguese flavors?”

✳️ Example 3 – Finalist: James Oketch (Kenya, Plant-Based Innovation)

Tailored Questions:

• “What sparked your commitment to plant-based cooking?”
• “Can you explain the science behind your jackfruit ‘meat’ texture?”
• “What challenges do you face convincing others to embrace plant-based Kenyan dishes?”
• “How has SayPro expanded your platform as a sustainable chef?”

🧩 Tools for Alignment

• Interview Prep Sheet: Create a 1-page profile for each finalist
• Custom Interview Script: Pull 5–8 questions from the master list, customize 3–5 unique ones
• Chef Story Arc: Ensure interviews follow a progression — Origins → Skills → Signature Dish → SayPro Impact → Vision

📝 Template (Custom Question Plan)