SAFoodStories

In this episode of South African Food Stories, Nicci Robertson chats to Brenda Wilkinson, co-founder of Rio Largo Olive Estate, to unpack the unexpected journey that lead to building one of South Africa’s most recognised olive oil brands. With no background in farming, food production, or retail, the Wilkinson family learned everything from scratch, from growing olives to navigating international competitions and convincing a skeptical market to take a local premium product seriously. Brenda lifts the lid on the global olive oil industry, exposing misleading labelling, and why many consumers are unknowingly buying inferior products. She explains why fresh, properly produced extra virgin olive oil behaves more like a fresh juice than a long life pantry staple, and why authenticity matters not just for flavour, but for your health. RioLargo Olive Oil · RioLargo IG · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

What if everything you think makes a restaurant successful… is completely wrong? In this episode, Nicci Robertson sits down with Grace Harding, the woman behind Ocean Basket’s explosive global growth, and she drops a truth most people in food don’t want to hear: - It’s NOT about the food. - It’s NOT about the price. - And passion alone? Completely overrated. From a single restaurant in Pretoria to an international powerhouse, Grace reveals what really built the brand and why most restaurant dreams collapse behind the scenes. Ocean Basket · FaceBook · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

In this episode of South African Food Stories, Nicci Robertson chats with Jackson’s Real Food Market founder, Gary Jackson, to explore how a personal health crisis led him to rethink everything he believed about food. From chronic illness to clarity, Gary shares how real, unprocessed food became the catalyst for change, not just in his life, but in how he sources and sells food today. They unpack the hidden costs of modern food systems, why nutrient density matters, and how regenerative farming could hold the key to better health for both people and the planet. This isn’t about diets or trends. It’s about reconnecting with food, and why that might change everything. Jacksons Website · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Rejected by publishers, she backed herself, and sold out 300 cookbooks in a single weekend. In this episode of SA Food Stories, Zanele Van Zyl sits down with Nicci Robertson to unpack the real story behind her rise, from IT professional to one of South Africa’s most recognisable food voices. Zanele didn’t follow the expected path. She left corporate life as a new mom to study cooking, built a loyal audience from scratch on social media, and turned rejection into rocket fuel by betting on herself when no one else would. What followed was not overnight success, it was consistency, courage, and a refusal to dilute her voice. They talk about: Reinventing traditional South African food without losing its soul Building a business organically, without shortcuts The realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship colliding Why trusting your own timing beats chasing validation This is not a story about luck. It’s about backing yourself when there’s no safety net, and playing the long game until the world catches up. Zanele IG · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

What started in 1982 as a small cooking school in a converted garage in Cape Town grew into a household name found in kitchens across the country and on shelves around the world. In this episode of South African Food Stories, Nicci Robertson sits down with the legendary Ina Paarman to explore the journey behind the brand. From teaching cooking classes from home, self-publishing her first cookbook, and eventually building a global food company with her family. Ina shares the lessons learned along the way, the principles she refused to compromise on, and why great food always begins with great ingredients. Ina Paarman · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

In this episode of South African Food Stories, host Nicci Robertson sits down with Kenneth Tebogo Middleton — content creator, cookbook author, and one of South Africa’s most exciting new culinary voices — to explore an unconventional journey into food. Originally trained as a graphic designer, Kenneth shares that a desire for deeper creative expression led him from agency life into social media, food storytelling, and, eventually, the creation of his debut cookbook, Paradise. What began as experimentation across multiple content niches evolved into a focused food platform built on curiosity, accessibility, and joy — stripping away intimidation and inviting people to cook with confidence. The conversation moves beyond recipes into bigger themes of identity, creativity, and trusting your instincts, as Kenneth reflects on connecting the dots in hindsight, building community online, and transferring creative skills across disciplines. He also discusses why cookbooks still matter in a digital age, how Southern African ingredients inspire his work, and why indulgence, decadence, and pleasure deserve a place at the table. From biltong ice cream mishaps to elevating everyday African foods, this episode offers an intimate look at a creator who refuses to follow trends — preferring instead to make them. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring conversation for anyone navigating a creative pivot, building something authentic online, or redefining what food can mean in their life. Kenneth's You Tube · Kenneth's IG · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

In this episode of SA Food Stories, Nicci Robertson sits down with Natasha Sideris, founder of the iconic Tashas restaurant group, for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build a hospitality empire. Natasha reflects on the early risks behind her first restaurant, from selling family property and borrowing money to working relentless 16-hour days to make the vision work. She shares the philosophy that still guides the brand today, treating every location as if it were a single restaurant and obsessing over the smallest details. The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, the discipline required to scale without losing standards, and why true success is measured not in valuations but in the people you empower along the way. Thank you to our episode sponsors FNB Business and Bidfood for bringing this episode to life. Don't forget to rate, comment and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Tashas · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

In this episode of SA Food Stories, Nicci Robertson sits down with food creator Naqiyah Mayat to explore how food, culture, and storytelling intertwine to shape identity and purpose. What began around a family kitchen table grew into a creative journey rooted in heritage, authenticity, and everyday cooking. Naqiyah reflects on growing up between tradition and modern life, the influence of family recipes, and the pressure many women feel to represent culture through food. This thoughtful conversation goes beyond recipes to explore belonging, creativity, and why the most meaningful work often begins simply by feeding people and staying true to what feels real. YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Welcome to the first episode of South African Food Stories. Today I sit down with two of the most exciting voices shaping South Africa’s food culture, J Something and Cordelia da Fonseca J Something is best known as front-man for Micasa, but behind the scenes he has built a powerful presence in the culinary world, blending Portuguese heritage, storytelling, and a deep love of food into everything he does. From restaurants to cookbooks to television, his journey shows how food can be both deeply personal and powerfully cultural. Cordelia brings her own perspective to the table, sharing her passion for food, creativity, and the stories that connect people through what we eat. Together, the conversation explores identity, heritage, creativity, and the role food plays in shaping who we are. We talk about where inspiration comes from, how food connects communities, and why the South African food story is one of the most exciting in the world right now. If you care about food, culture, creativity, and the people behind the plates, this episode is a fascinating look into the heart of South African cuisine. Subscribe to South African Food Stories for more conversations with the chefs, producers, farmers, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of food in South Africa. Website · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn

Proudly South African and deliciously personal. Join your host Nicci Robertson as she explores the rich cultural tapestry that is South African food culture. Listen in on conversations with industry leaders while they discuss passion, perseverance and the challenges of being an entrepreneur in the food and hospitality industry. Subscribe wherever you listen to or watch your favourite podcast - official launch is 8 March 2026. YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn