By 
Busisiwe Kolantso is a recipe of her own destiny, a culinary artist cooking up a storm disrupting the catering sector as we know it in the Free State province. Her business is founded on love, passion and the ambition of just making people happy through a palatable plate.
The unassuming hospitality giant in the making has big dreams for her business, however, just like any other business, she has to start somewhere. An introvert herself, Busisiwe had to leave her comfort zone and brave the challenges that will follow of starting a business. However, her passion and dream was far much bigger than her fears and temperament.
The inspirational and passionate Busisiwe Kolantso was a stay-at-home mom before starting her business in 2021. Busisiwe is a qualified chef from Olive Chef School who loves cooking and exploring different eye-catching cuisines.
“My passion for cooking and seeing how food creates happiness inspired me to start my catering business,” said Busisiwe.
The Bloemfontein based lady entrepreneur is a mother of three; seeing her passion and artistry in food and having being qualified as a chef, one day one of the teachers to one of her kids advised Busisiwe to start her own catering company since she was a qualified chef and a stay-at-home mom. She took the advice and took a leap of faith.
Busisiwe named the business after herself and her kids Sihle, Tshepiso and Katlego using their initials, and came up with BSTK catering. A business she intends to build legacy for her children.
BSTK managed to attract some clients in its initial stages, just like any other business, it was not easy to kick-start the business and she had to overcome some teething challenges as well. Busisiwe was not oblivious to her shortcomings, but like a typical inspirational figure, a trailblazer for her children; she would not let her shortcomings weigh her down, instead, showing resilience and determination, she pressed on.
When The Business Weekly asked her what some of her challenges were? She responded, “Marketing, I don’t have strong marketing skills. Capacity, especially for government clients because they don’t work with deposits. Clients, some clients don’t understand my pricing.”
When asked what some of the highlights are, she said: “Working with considerate clients. Clients that compliment my food and correct my mistakes without making me feel small.”
BSTK catering made some inroads since its inception in 2021, claiming its market share in the R55 to R60 billion catering industry in South Africa; however, in 2024 and 2025 Busisiwe’s passion and resilience was tested as the business hit a snag, business was slow during the two years and she had to problem solve on daily bases to keep her dream and passion alive.
BSTK is now recovering and now employs a total of six people; one is employed on a full-time bases and the other five on part-time bases. BSTK not only offers food to its clients, but it offers memorable experiences with professional, passionate, efficient and friendly staff and has mastered the art of presentation adding beauty and class to its services.
The business has a variety of clients offering its services majority of the time for meetings and events, private clients for weddings, funerals, parties and so forth.
The self-less entrepreneur, who is passionate about people and her craft, is a loving mother as well who is building a secure future for her children. When asked what keeps her going amid the heavy weight of juggling her business duties and being a mother? The epitome of determination responded.
“My children; as a chef, I want to build a future that keeps providing for my children long after me through hard work, passion, and perseverance.”
Extending a word of encouragement to fellow women who would one day start a catering business, the panoramic visionary Busisiwe said; “It’s not easy because being a chef or an entrepreneur has its challenges but keep going because you’re building a future for you and your family.”
Busisiwe Kolantso wants to grow BSTK into a restaurant that offers exquisite menus and environment.
“I would like to open a restaurant because working from home doesn’t give you much exposure especially when you’re introverted,” she said.
To book and make orders from BSTK, you can contact Busisiwe on 078 087 7071 on Whatsapp.
