Why I never started a restaurant after winning MasterChef South Africa
“Why did you not start a restaurant after winning MasterChef?”
This is probably one of the question I get asked most often. I started my Instagram account The Roasted Dad during the Covid-19 lockdown. After winning MasterChef South Africa, The Roasted Dad became more than just a passion project. I became more serious about food and cooking. I started running events, from cook-with-me demos, to pop-up restaurants, restaurant takeovers, and food and wine pairings. I designed a menu to be enjoyed onboard LIFT Airlines. But I never started a restaurant.
Italian Food, Wine & Music Pairing at Feastival
When I was asked to do another restaurant pop-up at Feastival, I was hesitant. I never started a restaurant because I think it would take the fun out of it for me. But something niggled at me. I do really enjoy the challenge of designing a menu, and love cooking in front of people and sharing my passion about food and the stories behind it. I enjoy collaborating with proudly South African small businesses, who are just as passionate about “food as a craft” as I am.
And when my wife asked me “will it bring you joy?”, and I knew the answer to that question was “yes” the decision was made.
Episode 2 of MasterChef South Africa Season 5
The second episode of MasterChef South Africa episode 5 started off with a beautiful display of apples. Tebogo clearly was not too thrilled and worried about the prospect of being asked to make an apple tart.
360on62 Mountain View Farm Cottages in Montagu (Accommodation Review)
360on62 boasts 360° Views, & sits just off the R62 nestled between the Majestic Langeberg & Swartberg Mountain Ranges, 8km from Montagu. The first time we stayed there with with our extended family over the Easter weekend of 2021. Aiden was three, Liv had just turned two and Harvey had not yet been born, in fact he was barely a thought!
Episode 1 of MasterChef South Africa Season 5
The first episode of MasterChef South Africa season five was a long-anticipated one! Having been part of the fourth season of MasterChef, I can’t help but compare while watching the show.
The Contestants competing in MasterChef South Africa 2024
After participating in season 4 (and taking the title home after five gruelling weeks), I am keen to see who becomes the MasterChef winner for season 5! Seven of the twenty candidates were announced over the weekend. It is going to be strange to be on the other side of the TV screen this season.
Spookfontein Restaurant Review (Hermanus)
We were in Hermanus as part of our annual trip over the Easter school holidays. We visited Spookfontein Restaurant on Day 3. It had been all about doing things slowly. We had first had some…
Baard & Co. deliver The Roasted Dad Sourdough!
“Can you make on that says ‘The Roasted Dad’?” I asked tongue-in-cheek.. but low and behold, the next day Ronel de Jager, the power house behind the BAARD & Co brand…
Huizen Living Accommodation Review
Who doesn’t love a sneaky getaway? When Jan Hendrik Oosthuizen from Huizen Living approached me asking if I could assist with creating some recipes to include in the cabins, so that guests would be able to use the well-stocked kitchen to re-create my dishes…
Using a Gas Braai on the Expresso Show
Being on “Your Feel Good Morning Show” isn’t how it looks on TV… Being a guest on Expresso gave me a whole new level of respect for the presenters. Live TV is not easy. You have to be quick on your feet, and be able to multi-task.
