103. Sebastian Nico - Seb Steelworks

In this episode, I chat to Durban chef, photographer and knife-maker Sebastian Amadeo Nico.  He's deeply connected to the food world through his father, Marco Nico of Ciao Italia fame, but his path has been somewhat winding - from working in his dad's kitchen at La Storia in the Westville Hotel, to mastering food photography which started out as a bit of a hobby inspired by his mom Kerryne. Along the way he's built motorcycles and taught himself the art of crafting knives - a combination of heat and heavy tools balanced with delicate precision. The knives he shows off on his instagram profile tend to be drawn from the Japanese culinary tradition and are becoming more and more sought-after, as commissions from chefs and collectors narrow the time he has available to create a stock of standard blades for sale. Influenced by Durban's culinary legends like his father Marco and the great Martin Lombard, Sebastian's early lessons in restaurants shaped his unique artistic path. While he continues to earn a living as a photographer, he's about to partner with another craftsman, Darkwing Blades, to meet demand for his blades… another chapter is about to begin .Seb Steelworkswww.rwm2012.comOn Instagram @a_table_inthecornerCover image sketched by Courtney Cara LawsonAll profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise creditedTitle music: 'In Time' by Olexy via Pixabay