A Table in the Corner

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...

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...

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 go...

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 s...

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. www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by C...

Pam McOnie is a priceless asset to the  food 'scene' in Cape Town. She created the first food tours in Cape Town City, and when restaurants and other businesses were in free fall during lockdown, she started a Facebook group that became a beacon of hope for the eateries and foodies of the region. I love chatting to her at any time and she's the first person I call if I need to know...

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. www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover imag...

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. www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Law...

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...

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 doin...

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.  www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched...

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. www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise credited Title music:...

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. Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia (Image by Claire Gunn for Chefs Warehouse) www.rwm2012.com On Instagram...

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.  www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorne...

A natter with a truly inspiring food blogger and cooking instructor who is both a dear friend and a dedicated student of the Mediterranean table. In particular, Sophia teaches Lebanese cooking - she's about to release a video cooking course on this cuisine born of her concern that mothers no longer teach their daughters to cook, so traditions are being lost. We talk about growing up on a farm...

Nic Charalambos is the chef-proprietor of the extremely popular Ouzeri restaurant in Cape Town's Wale Street. We talk about his inspiration, where his cooking comes from and about what he sees as the future of this restaurant based on his Cypriot heritage. Ouzeri Image supplied www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits...

A natter at Pot Luck Club with exec chef Jason Kosmas about cooking, recipes, fishing and in-laws. We touch on what's happening to restaurants in Cape Town post-pandemic and touch on how dishes are created in his kitchen.  www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise credited Title mu...