Kerrygold Moments

Every September, South Africans from all cultures celebrate their heritage as part of National Heritage Month. It’s a time to not only reflect on our own upbringing, but also to learn more about the history and differing traditions of those around us.

Someone wise once said that food is the secret ingredient that binds people together and we think this saying couldn’t be any truer. Which is why, this month, we’re excited to collaborate with four leading local foodies to bring you a selection of traditional recipes that represent some of the extraordinary cultures of our beloved nation!

Each foodie has chosen a dish to represent their heritage and we’ll share their recipes with you throughout the course of this month over on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. It is our hope that you sample them with family and friends and savour what each dish has to offer. But first, we want to introduce you to these four lovely ladies and share a bit more on each of their backgrounds.

Cariema Isaacs (@cariema.isaacs)

Image source: netwerk24.com

Cariema Isaacs is the author of “My Cape Malay Kitchen”, a locally-published cookbook filled with much-loved Cape Malay recipes and heartfelt anecdotes from her childhood spent in the vibrant Bo-Kaap. The cookbook is a celebration of her rich cultural heritage and a poignant tribute to her late father with whom she shared a passion for food and cooking.

Some of her fondest childhood memories were also made in her grandmother’s kitchen which, Cariema reveals, is the place where she learnt how to cook and bake. “I was taught how to cook by my grandmother,” she says, “but it is my father who truly cultivated my love for cooking because he taught me why we cook.”

Luyanda Mafanya (@cookingwithluyanda)

Image source: mg.co.za

East London-born Luyanda Mafanya is a young, self-taught chef who is making waves across the country. Her blog, which she coins as her own ‘online restaurant’, is filled with recipes of all the things she loves to cook. Her recipes are not only easy to follow but can be made on a budget, too.

Luyanda currently resides in Joburg with her mom, but still carries the lessons learnt from her dad in East London, including how to cook with limited ingredients for a big group of people. She also reveals how, having studied both finance and logistics, she never thought she’d end up in the industry. “When my gran passed away, I started cooking as a form of therapy and it led me into the food world.”

Sam Linsell (@drizzleanddip)

Sam Linsell is a passionate cook with a decade of experience in South Africa’s food industry. She wears many hats: she’s a food stylist, recipe developer, food photographer and cookbook author, and she’s also the face behind renowned food blog, Drizzle & Dip. Her stunning Instagram feed is a true feast for the eyes!

Sam worked in the FMCG marketing industry for many years before following her dream of building a life around food creativity. Having spent most of her early childhood in Joburg, teenage years in Cape Town and adult years travelling abroad, she draws inspiration from a number of cultures and countries around the world.

Aneesa Mansoor (@aniseeds)

Aneesa Mansoor is a food enthusiast whose love for food is reflected in the culinary creations she shares on her blog and social media pages. Indian cuisine has a special place in her heart and she often puts a spin on traditional favourites by experimenting with new flavor combinations. “I aim to cook and create recipes that are practical and interesting, but with the bottom line of deliciousness,” she says.

Alongside Sam, Luyanda and Cariema, Aneesa will share one of her favourite traditional recipes with us this Heritage Month. Keep an eye out on our social media pages and, if you aren’t already doing so, be sure to follow these talented foodies on Instagram for more delicious #foodspiration!