“Need To Try This”: SA-Born Chef Laurent Kalala Wins Best Burger in Île-De-France
- SA-born chef Laurent Kalala co-founded Boyame, a Parisian restaurant blending African flavours with classic burgers
- His signature creation, the Burgâteau, impressed judges at one of France’s most competitive culinary contests
- France’s diplomatic mission in South Africa shared the achievement, sparking pride and debate among South Africans online
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Source: UGC
A South African-born chef is making waves in Paris, and his latest achievement is turning heads back home. Laurent Kalala, co-founder of Boyame restaurant in the French capital, won the Île-de-France regional final of the Coupe de France du Burger in April 2026. His winning entry was the “Burgâteau,” a creative fusion described as a burger-cake hybrid.
Boyame is a Parisian eatery where Kalala and his team have built their reputation on weaving African flavours into the classic burger format. The Burgâteau embodies that philosophy, earning him the regional title in one of France’s most celebrated burger competitions.
SA’s pride on a plate
France’s diplomatic mission, known on Instagram as France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi, shared Kalala’s story on 23 August 2026. The post highlighted that Kalala was born in South Africa before making his name in the Parisian culinary scene. The French Embassy in Pretoria, which oversees diplomatic relations across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, used the moment to spotlight cultural ties between France and the region.
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The achievement struck a chord with South Africans online, many of whom were quick to claim Kalala as one of their own.
See the post that got South Africa talking:
Mzansi reacts to the win
South Africans in the comments were proud, and some used the moment to push back against those questioning Kalala’s South African identity:
@nyx.sym said:
“I need to try this. South African born makes you a South African. He is one of us. 🤜”
@theocracy47 wrote:
“Just congratulate the boy for his great work.”
@tsepangmolisana shared:
“Yes Chef 🍔 💗, please pair it with South African Syrah or Shiraz @shirazsourthafrica.”
@noma_maduma added:
“A big congratulations to the young man 🩷.”
More stories involving South Africans abroad
- A white South African man abroad stopped to answer questions about his identity.
- A South African woman living in the USA posted a TikTok claiming South Africans abroad are under attack for their nationality.
- A Dutch indie pop duo called Jack and the Weatherman went viral after using a Jeremy Loops song to spot a South African on the street abroad.
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Source: Briefly News
