The image of a chef often centres on the finished dish: the careful plating, the bright flavours, the appreciative guest. The reality behind that plate is less “elegant food documentary” and more “sprint relay, except everyone is holding something hot.” A professional kitchen is loud, fast-moving and powered by preparation, teamwork and the ability to [...]
Something fundamental has broken in the way we sustain ourselves, a quiet inversion where the craft of nourishment was hollowed out and replaced by the efficiency of the shortcut. We look around at a world plagued by chronic malaise and wonder where the path was lost, failing to realise that we traded the kitchen for [...]
The aroma of simmering sauces, the sizzle of a perfectly seared steak, the artistry of a beautifully plated dish – these are the sensory hallmarks of the culinary world. But beyond the captivating sights, sounds and smells, a career as a chef offers a uniquely rewarding path, brimming with creativity, opportunity, and personal growth. For [...]
For generations, French cuisine has been considered the cornerstone of Western culinary arts, a foundation upon which countless techniques and approaches are built. But in an increasingly diverse and globally connected culinary landscape, is this perspective still valid? With restaurants and hospitality establishments focussing more and more on fusion food culture, is classic French cuisine, [...]
Quite often I read posts from individual cooks who express a high level of dissatisfaction with their choice to work in kitchens. In some cases, this dissatisfaction leans towards contempt – loads of anger pointed at the job and those who employ cooks to service their clientele. While many of the concerns expressed by [...]
As the first fierce winds of winter whip around the Cape Peninsula, residents experience one of the wettest cyclones to hit Cape Town, the first of the seasonal onslaught of Cape storms. While the landscape transforms into lush greens, we huddle for shelter and warmth as the barometer plummets to single figures, sometimes in the [...]
A renewed interest in foraging is sweeping across South Africa's culinary scene, but is this trend truly sustainable, or are we risking harm to the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems? While foraging offers a compelling connection to nature and access to unique, localized ingredients, experts warn that its growing popularity demands responsible practices to [...]
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just about robots or algorithms analysing data. It’s changing the way we live, one meal at a time. From helping you decide what to eat to plating your dishes like a pro, AI in cooking is transforming this everyday activity into something smarter, more efficient, and even more exciting. Let’s explore [...]
Over the months of April and May 2021 South Africa witnessed several outbreaks of highly infective avian influenza in different poultry farms across the country. Avian flu may also be harmful to humans and WHO (The World Health Organisation) have advised on precautionary measures to prevent a potential outbreak amid the COVID-19 pandemic which [...]
