Hein van Tonder is an international award-winning food photographer who began his creative journey by starting a food blog. I've known him since the very beginning of Heinstirred and have been privileged to watch an incredible  talent emerge. We chatted about his path, the breaks and the images along the way as well as his new foray into ceramics. Heinstirred Hein's blog about this episode On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits...

Jenna Short is a pastry chef of no mean skill who has created a sumptuous chocolate business that is a complete delight. With her little team in their Woodstock factory, she produces the most beautiful chocolate bonbons and slabs which stretch both indulgence and creativity, taking the craft to new heights. We chatted about chocolate and some of her background as a chef, but mostly about the pain and joy of starting a little business in the food space. Short & Sweet Profile image courtesy...

Photographer, food stylist, recipe developer, writer, videographer, digital maven - there is no end to the things Sam Linsell has mastered and continues to learn in the food universe she has created with Drizzle and Dip. It's my favourite food blog and I've known Sam long enough to remember her early forays into food photography.  It's been a joy to watch the growth and success and I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Sam to find out where it started and where her digital food journey will...

In the second instalment of my conversation with Chef Franck Dangereux, we’ve moved beyond La Colombe to discuss the creation of The Foodbarn in Noordhoek. We talk about running a restaurant, pleasing customers and reflect on who Chef Franck believes is 'killing it' in local kitchens, taking Cape Town’s culinary scene to new heights. The Foodbarn - Noordhoek On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless...

Chef Franck lives quietly in Noordhoek, surfing whenever the waves look good, walking the dogs on the beach and enjoying a simple life dedicated to family, friends and horses. Few around him realise (and he definitely wouldn’t mention it unless you asked) that the chef/owner of The Foodbarn was behind the launch of La Colombe, the restaurant that propelled Cape Town fine dining into the hearts and award ceremonies of the culinary world. This is Episode 1 of my chat with Chef Franck...

Wynand van Rooyen was the youngest ever Sunday Times Chef of the Year back in 2011. He was a stalwart in the kitchen at the Mount Nelson and went on to come a close second in a legendary season of Ultimate Braai Master with his wife and fellow chef, Kirby. I've known him for years and really enjoy his easy, relaxed style. We chatted about running restaurants (he owned Woodlands Grill for a bit), pop-ups, private cheffing and his dream of opening a restaurant called 'The Flying Boar'. On...

Darryl Burger is a caterer with a fiercely loyal following. After 12 years of running 'The Field Kitchen', he is still excited by the challenges of producing inventive menus that bring joy - whether at weddings or on photo shoots. He's an inveterate foodie who's one of my go-to humans when I need to know something about ingredients or wines. It's also worth making friends with him as he throws the best dinner parties I've ever attended - but only in Winter. On Instagram...

Incredibly knowledgeable about Western Cape wines, a source of endless outstanding suggestions for great table wines and all-round excellent fellow Clark Truter is my guest on episode 21 . We chatted about movement in the industry, restaurant wine lists and where to begin to educate your palate if you're interested in wine. It was a fun time with my favourite wine ou. On Instagram #a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

Michelle Nelson is perfectly happy with her job running a studio in a bustling Cape Town branding agency. It suits her just fine. Yet she constantly has friends and family who love her cooking asking why she doesn't start another restaurant. Michelle has been there, done that. She's worked as a caterer on movie sets and run her own little suburban cafe. We chatted about burning out in the catering game and why you really shouldn't sink your life's savings into an eatery in a doomed...

Ben Bettendorf grew up in the restaurant trade. He went from working in his father's restaurants to cooking in some top local kitchens, and now runs one of the most popular sushi restaurants in Cape Town with his partner 'Papa San'. A life in front-of-house and kitchens has given him a rare insight into the delights (and the eye-rolls) of dealing with customers, and plenty of grist for his hilarious observations about working in the service industry. We chatted about Obi Restaurant in Long...

On Instagram #a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

Chef Peter Ayub has been teaching cooking as a trade to young chefs in Cape Town for over a decade. Along with his wife Debs, he runs the Sense of Taste Cooking School in Maitland and it turns out capable and confident young chefs, many of whom I've encountered in kitchens during my career as a food writer and photographer. In the aftermath of Covid, they opened a little 40 seater restaurant called Urban Playground on the school premises and it's become a sensation. We chatted about cooking,...

Cheyne Morrisby has been a popular figure on the Cape Town dining scene for some time with his take on modern Asian cuisine. Cheyne's and Lucky Bao are an institution in Hout Bay and his other openings, like Mexicola and Himitsu have struck a note with diners from the City Bowl to Camps Bay. We talk about his journey - the ups and downs, the pressures and the joys of the 'game', and ultimately about addiction and reflection. This is a heart-to-heart with a chef I first encountered in 2008 and...

Pastry chef Simba Choto tried to go out on his own, baking to order from home, before Covid. 2019 was a tough year, but it finished on a high note with a summer season baking at a resort in Bazaruto. He came back from that gig and was plunged into lockdown. Interestingly enough, that's when his business actually took off - with the help of social media, and a community of fans of his baked goods and granola. On Instagram #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image...

Clayton Bell is the owner of Empire Cafe in Muizenberg, a bustling little 'local' which is one of my favourite breakfast spots. With a pedigree as the former exec chef at iconic Cape Town restaurants he brings a wealth of hard-won experience to running his own place. We chatted about the shift of pace and scale from running a big corporate restaurant to operating his own 50 seater in a seaside retreat. On Instagram #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image...

An old friend from the photography life, Fernando recently opened a coffee business at the Franschhoek Market in the Winelands. Even though he's a freshly minted operator, his precise nature and the journey he embarked on to create Bare Kofu provided an illuminating glimpse of the coffee game and an entertaining chat. Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

Pam McOnie is a priceless asset to the  food 'scene' in Cape Town. She created the first food tours in the city and surrounding winelands, and when restaurants and other businesses were in free fall during lockdown, she created a Facebook group that became a beacon of hope. I love chatting to her at any time and she's the first person I call if I need to know what's potting in the local food scene. Pam is a living archive of the people and places that have shaped local restaurants and food...

Günter Boisits is the co-owner of my favourite bar in Cape Town - The Drinkery. He's a highly skilled and very experienced operator in the hospitality space. We always have lively discussions about the industry. In this interview, I chatted to him about cocktails, sandwiches, service and the many other things that fascinate us both. Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

Brendon and Leigh Thorncroft are the owner/chef/host team at The Table at De Meye in the Stellenbosch Winelands. I chatted to them on a beautiful spring day about running a set menu restaurant and sourcing as sustainably and locally as volumes will allow. Always such a pleasure to spend time with these two. Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

Philip Myburgh is a wine farmer with deep roots in the Stellenbosch region of the Western Cape Winelands. Once, long ago I opened a restaurant under the trees on his beautiful property with my wife. It's been a while, but Phil and I used to have fabulous chats about the business of farming and wine and the necessity of 'sweating your assets' when you're a land-owner. I thought it would be great to chat to him as a precursor to a conversation with Leigh and Brendan Thorncroft who now run The...

Emma-Claire peter is both a wanderer and a wonderer in the realm of all things food. We've encountered each other often on our journeys. We first worked together when she was getting into food-styling, and we've crossed paths through magazines and other publications, and when she's been organising food events or curating food collections for retail ranges. Emma-Claire is always doing something interesting with or around food and I caught up with her for a natter about what's happening in her...

Charmaine Lilje is the chef-proprietor and all-round amazing person behind the tremendously popular Chardonnay Deli. With buzzing venues in Constantia and Kalk Bay, Charmaine is about to open a third shop on Constantia Uitsig. We chatted about drive and determination, inspiration and being at the right place at the right time.  Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

From Michelin stars to foraging with Chris Erasmus we talk a little history and a lot of cooking with head chef and co-owner Ryan Cole at Salsify restaurant in the historic Roundhouse overlooking Cape Town's Camps Bay. Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

A conversation about cooking, growing veggies and running a fabulous Cape Town restaurant with chef and co-owner Ivor Jones. With stunning views, warm service and an ever-changing menu, Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia is justifiably pumping as one of the Mother City's favourite restaurants. (Thumbnail portrait by Clair Gunn for Chefs Warehouse) Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson

A conversation about cooking, consistency, flavour and locals with chef and co-owner of the iconic Olympia Café in the seaside village of Kalk Bay near. Kenneth McClarty and his restaurant have been a feature of this picturesque village for over two decades and we chat about life in the village and his thoughts and insights on running a restaurant.  Visit us at #a_table_inthecorner Final sound mix by Concept Records Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson