QUEER AND FABULOUS, MEET BARNEY JIRI A.K.A THE PURPLE CHEF.
Barney Jiri is a professional chef who is famously known as The Purple Chef. He has worked with big brands like Food Lovers Market, The International Hotel School, etc. At present, Jiri is the representative of Strongbow premium cider. Jiri believes himself to be a ‘Food God’ because he feeds food to people good for the body and mind. Jiri is passionate about changing lives through shining his light and unconditional Love.
The idea behind Barney’s brand
Barney Jiri says that while growing up, people always thought of Barney: the Purple dinosaur whenever they hear his name. When Jiri started finding the USP of his business, he ensured that people don’t forget his name and his flamboyant and bubbly personality.
Jiri’s journey towards success
Barney hails from South Africa, Johannesburg. After graduating from The International Hotel School in 2018, Barney worked as a private chef for All Gold Delightful moments as their representative. In 2019, he worked with The International Hotel School as their representative and enrolled as a fulltime student at The University of Johannesburg to study strategic communication in corporate communication. Jiri had to pause his studies in 2020 due to the pandemic. Later, he joined the Food Lovers Market family as their FoodLovers Co Ambassador. Barney has also hosted The Purple Chefthemed kids’ birthday party. The birthday girl wore The Purple Chef jacket. He did a Food demo for the kids to make their meal for the day in Hillcrest Durban, 2020. ‘That’s where I discovered my passion with kids. I plan on hosting more themed parties by The Purple Chef as I love working with kids and kids love me.’ adds Jiri.
Barney’s work profile and series of achievements
In 2019, Jiri worked with Social Hour Productions. It is a social media agency and events business that hosted 2 Influencer events in the year, one in Johannesburg and one in Durban, in partnership with Social Media Week Durban, World’s Premium Social Media event. Barney also facilitated the Social Media Influencer Awards. In 2019 and 2020, he worked as a brand manager for lsg cosmetics, Doromongy Empire, Pink somhle, which are online businesses. Barney also started his esoteric supply store in 2021 called ‘Vibrations by Jiri.’ Currently, Jiri is studying Reiki Healing with Reiki Master Andrea from Lotus Life Reiki School and has started practicing Reiki healing in his food. He believes that good food has the power to heal from within through the 7 Chakra systems.
The inspiration behind Jiri’s business venture
Barney states that while growing up, the business has always been a vibration he has sensed. In addition, he has always been a leader, from Primary School, where Jiri was The Deputy Head Boy, followed by High School, where he was the Head of Culture. ‘Starting my venture came like second nature to me. I also have memories of me selling cupcakes in high school. I believe that’s where my entrepreneurial journey began.’ marks Barney.
Philanthropic work by Barney
In 2017, Jiri worked with Albany Bread to make 1000 sandwiches for 500 kids with DJ Zinhle for the Africans Children’s Feeding Scheme in Soweto, his hometown. In 2020, on Christmas, he cooked for the homeless and Mandela Month. In 2021, Barney cooked for Children from Sondela Village and called his family Food Lovers Market to partner up with him to make it possible. Jiri is eager to collaborate with organizations that help with developing the world.
Barney Jiri envisioning a bright future
Jiri wishes to speak to the younger audience in the long run. He also wants to have his animation cooking show (The Purple Chef). Furthermore, Barney wants to launch The Purple Chef kitchen merchandise and desires to manage a successful esoteric online store.
