Visited
South Africa
Few & Far, Kruger Shalati, Creation Wines and Cape Town
August and September. I started at Few & Far Luvhondo, cooking with Chef Henlu, and we filmed the first episode of The Kitchen there.
Next I cooked at Kruger Shalati, the train hotel parked on the Selati Bridge, then dinners at Creation Wines in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley.
The last stop was two nights at Curate, the restaurant at Ellerman House in Cape Town, on 25 and 26 September.
The first recipe from South Africa is bunny chow: chicken curry packed into a hollowed loaf and eaten with your hands. The full recipe is free below.
- Few & Far Luvhondo
I cooked with Chef Henlu, and we filmed the first episode of The Kitchen here.August 2026 - Kruger Shalati
Next I cooked at Kruger Shalati, the train hotel parked on the Selati Bridge.August 2026 - Creation Wines
I cooked dinners around Creation’s wines on 29 August and 5 September.23 August–6 September 2026 - Ellerman House
I cooked two nights at Curate, the restaurant at Ellerman House, on 25 and 26 September.25–26 September 2026
Stories
From South Africa
Shorts
All Shorts on YouTube →Short clips from South Africa
My prep rule for a sold-out dinner
3 molds for a whole room of baked alaska
Recipes
All recipes →Cook South Africa
The dinners
What I served in South Africa.
Here’s every dish I served. If I’ve got a card for it in my notebook, it’s linked.
Sep 2026
Ellerman House, Curate × Elizabeth
Watch the film from this dinner →The menu · 10 dishes
Passed Canapés
- Cape Yellowtail EscabecheEscabeche, brioche, nasturtiumCard: Escabeche BrineMembersCard: Escabeche GelMembers
- Crispy Market FishBlack sesame mole, avocado, sesameCard: Tempura BatterMembersCard: Kob, TempuraMembers
- Mushroom and Wild Garlic SoupSoubise, black truffleCard: Mushroom EssenceMembersCard: Mushroom SoupMembers
At the Table
- Sorghum Cheez-ItCheddar, parmesan, chiliCard: Cheddar FinancierMembersCard: Comté MornayMembers
- French Onion ParfaitCrème fraîche, caviarCard: Mushroom EssenceMembersCard: French Onion Bouillon (Vegetarian)Members
- Carrot TortelliniRoasted chicken broth, celeryCard: Pasta DoughMembersCard: Carrot FarceMembers
- Pan-Roasted Cape BreamTomato conserva, white beans, parsley blanquetteCard: Cornstarch-Egg White BatterMembersCard: Pan-Roasted Cape Bream FilletMembers
- Smoked DuckAsparagus, tarragonCard: Whole DuckMembersCard: Grilled AsparagusMembers
- Burnt Lemon Meringue PieBlood orange sorbet, lime sabayon, meringueCard: Set Lemon Curd, the BaseMembersCard: Lime SabayonMembers
- PicaronesChancaca, rooibos, orangeCard: PicaronesMembersCard: Chancaca Rooibos GlazeMembers
Sep 2026
Creation Wines, Dinner Two
The menu · 10 dishes
Snacks
- Black Truffle CappuccinoSoubise foam, chivesCard: Truffle Cappuccino BaseMembersCard: Sweet Onion SoubiseMembers
- Smoked Trout ToastEgg mousse, nasturtium onion relish, trout roeCard: Cured and Smoked TroutMembersCard: Egg MousseMembers
- Beet and Yogurt TerrineChampagne gelée, kohlrabi, beet purée, mustard seeds, chervilCard: Beet LayerMembersCard: Yogurt LayerMembers
- Crispy Fish Lettuce TacoTempura yellowtail, green onion crema, black sesame mole, lemon, sesameCard: Tempura YellowtailMembersCard: Tempura BaseMembers
- Duck ItCheddar financier, pepper mornayCard: Cheddar FinancierMembersCard: Pepper MornayMembers
First
- Escabeche AbaloneChilli, fennel, citrus, basil emulsionCard: Braised AbaloneMembersCard: Escabeche BrineMembers
Second
- Whole Roasted DuckCorn and black truffle risotto with confit leg, six minute egg, sunchoke chips, Parmesan and corn foam, melted leeksCard: Whole Roasted DuckCard: Confit Duck LegsMembers
Third
- Springbok LoinPommes Anna, pommes purée, peas, spinach and pea purée, demi sec tomato, choron hollandaiseCard: Springbok LoinMembersCard: Pommes AnnaMembers
Dessert
- Wild Berry Baked AlaskaThree ice creams, lime meringue, brandyCard: Sponge BaseMembersCard: Wild Berry Ice CreamMembers
Mignardises
- Nutter ButtersPBJ and ElvisCard: PBJ Nutter ButterMembersCard: Elvis Nutter ButterMembers
Aug 2026
Private Dinner, Six Courses for Ten
The menu · 6 dishes
One
- Devilled EggsBacon chipCard: Devilled EggsMembersCard: Bacon ChipMembers
Two
- Crispy Fish TacosSpicy mayo, avocado cremaCard: Avocado CremaMembers
Three
- Little Gem CaesarParmesan, croutonCard: Little Gem CaesarMembersCard: Caesar DressingMembers
Four
- Mushroom CappuccinoSoubiseCard: Sweet Onion SoubiseMembers
Five
- Braised Short RibsPomme purée, smashed potatoes, roasted carrots, carrot butterCard: Pommes PureeMembersCard: Braised Short RibsMembers
Six
- S’mores Crepe CakeGluten free crepesCard: Gluten Free CrepesMembers
Aug 2026
Private Dinner, Fire, Five Courses for Ten
The menu · 5 dishes
One
- Cheez-ItCheddar financier, mornayCard: Cheez-It FinancierMembersCard: Cheddar MornayMembers
Two
- Whole Roasted CauliflowerRosemary lemon blanch, pimentón garlic rub, open fireCard: Whole Roasted CauliflowerMembers
Three
- Seafood PaellaFish, prawns, sausage, socarratCard: Seafood StockMembersCard: PaellaMembers
Four
- Duck FritesGrilled breast, confit leg, shoestring frites, melted onions, béarnaise, grilled broccoliniCard: Duck FritesMembersCard: Confit Duck LegsMembers
Five
- Baked Alaska SundaeBanana caramel, sesame brittle, torched to orderCard: GénoiseMembersCard: Ice CreamMembers
Photos
167 photos