Each month, Coast Monthly visits with some of the most charming people on the Texas Coast to chat about their style.

Studying to be a chef, while also taking art classes, League City resident Ilonka du Plessis’ goal is to open a café that serves meat pies — the kind she enjoyed growing up in South Africa.

Photo by Chris Kuhlman

“I grew up wanting to be a psychiatrist in order to help people — that it was my responsibility to save the world,” she said. “When I realized I couldn’t do that all at once, I decided to do it day-by-day.”

Passionate about cooking and helping others, du Plessis is going to give back by volunteering at a woman’s crisis center, she said. Upon discovering Galveston, du Plessis fell in love with the little shops, and makes it a point to have a yearly girls’ weekend with her daughter at one of the local hotels.

This winter, she’ll be wearing jeans, boots and anything knitted, especially if it’s red. She calls her fashion style plain and natural.

Here are a few of her favorite things:

Glass octopus: I was with my daughter at Murdochs in Galveston, and this item really spoke to me. It now lives in my curio cabinet; my daughter bought one, too.

Scarf: This is my favorite go-to scarf that I bought in South Africa and have had for many years. I love the colors of turquoise, olive green and rust.

Headband: My South African friends and I made these at a recent ladies tea. They are anointment crowns that you wear when praying for others.

Red shoes: I love everything about these Calvin Klein lipstick red pumps — the textured design and the gold logo plate. I often wear these on monthly date nights with my husband.

Interchangeable necklace/bracelet: My daughter made the drawings of these prints in sixth-grade art class, then they were made into jewelry that can be interchanged. They are very special to me.

Chef jacket and hat: I’m studying to be a chef at Escoffier Culinary School and excited to graduate next year. I can’t wait to be certified and own my own business.

Jewelry box: I’ve had this since I was a little girl. It holds all my treasures, like a note from my husband when we were engaged, my grandfather’s razor, old coins and my son’s toy soldier. They all make me smile.