In conjunction with classically trained chef, Warren Mendes, South African Tourism has launched an instructional cooking competition designed to whet Australians’ appetites for future travel to the destination. Budding chefs can taste the Rainbow Nation on Facebook and Instagram with a new video posted weekly at 5pm.
Across South African Tourism’s Facebook and Instagram channels, the six-part video-recipe series has been specially curated to take home cooks on a culinary journey across South Africa and, each week, Warren will explain how to make some of the country’s best-loved dishes and give audiences a taste of the destination.
Home cooks will be called on to recreate the recipes and post their pictures on social media with the hashtag #EatSouthAfricaNow and those who nail it will have the chance to win the ultimate South African hamper, filled with South African wines and goodies – everything Aussies need for the extra time they’re spending at home.
The first video (on how to make the national dish of South Africa, Bobotie) is now live.
Week 1: Bobotie
Warren will offer a taste of South Africa’s Malay culture with the first session focusing on Bobotie – pronounced ‘ba-boor-tea’. Known as the national dish of South Africa, this is a delicious mixture of curried meat and fruit with a creamy golden topping, not dissimilar to moussaka. Imported from Indonesia and adapted by the Cape Malay community, the dish is easy to make at home as it utilises pantry staples such as curry powder and sultanas.
Bobotie
Week 2: Melktert
On week two, Warren will prepare something sweet for viewers, Melktert (Afrikaans for ‘milk tart’) is a delicate but decadent dessert with a flaky crust and topped with a generous dusting of cinnamon, this tart is creamy and luxurious — a traditional sweet pie that South Africans love. Known to have stirred the taste buds of other famous Chefs too – such as Jamie Oliver who re-created the tart in 2014 and poured golden caramel over the top for extra crunch.
Week 3: Bunny Chow
This budget-friendly dish is comprised of curry in a hollowed-out bread loaf and is loved for its portability and rich and hearty flavours. Originating from a large Indian community in Durban, this is now one of South Africa’s, and Warren’s, go-to street foods.
Week 4: Koeksisters
These crisp donut plaits are a sweet South African delicacy. Fried and dipped in an aromatic syrup, it’s not hard to understand why Warren, and South Africans, love to indulge in this sweet treat.
Week 5: Chakalaka, Boerewors and Pap
Chakalaka is a refreshing tomato bean relish made with a dash of spicy Portuguese flair, served with boerewors sausages and ‘Pap’ which is typically made from cornmeal or maize. It’s a much-loved meal in South Africa and a firm favourite at a braai (or what Aussies refer to as a barbeque!)
Week 6: Malva Pudding
Malva pudding is perfect for preparing at home thanks to its simple ingredients of jam, flour, sugar, butter, eggs, milk and a surprise ingredient – vinegar. Warren will showcase this Nelson Mandela favourite (also loved by Oprah Winfrey), with its humble origins, in week six. The dish represents how to enjoy the simple things in life with its easy-to-find and affordable ingredients. Maggie Pepler – an entirely self-taught cook – brought the recipe to fame in the 1970’s and it’s been a firm favourite in the country ever since.
About Warren Mendes
Warren Mendes is a South African-born chef and food editor, who now resides in Sydney, Australia. After studying at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Paris and London, Warren worked in restaurants and catering and now works as a recipe creator, food stylist and presenter. He prides himself on creating delicious, yet simple recipes for the everyday cook.
TOP IMAGE: Chef Warren Mendes
