S2-22. Mozambik - Brett Michielin

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, Russel sits down with Brett Michielin, the operator behind Mozambik, one of Southern Africa’s most recognisable casual dining brands. What began as a forty-seat restaurant in Ballito, KZN has grown into more than forty five outlets across the SADEC region. But the conversation starts with something far smaller: a twist of newspaper filled with pan-roasted peanuts placed on the table when guests arrive.Brett traces the origins of Mozambik back to the tavernas and beach bars of coastal Mozambique and the Portuguese-influenced restaurant culture of Durban. From the beginning, he explains, the idea was simple: food would take the brand part of the way, but atmosphere, generosity and service would carry it the rest.The discussion moves through the early years of the Ballito restaurant, the unlikely partnership that launched the brand, and the mechanics of turning a loose beachside concept into a scalable franchise operation. Brett speaks candidly about the realities of growth, from training staff and building supply chains to maintaining consistency across multiple countries.Along the way we talk about the role hospitality plays in social mobility, illustrated through the story of a bartender who rose through the company to run operations in Zimbabwe, and the broader challenges facing independent restaurants in a market increasingly shaped by larger groups.This is a practical, wide ranging conversation about scale, culture and the long game of building restaurants, told by an operator who still chases the rush that comes when the doors open and service begins.www.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