Cultivating Curiosity

Nikki Brighton brings a special sparkle to the Midlands. She is a beloved resident of Howick (a place she believes is the centre of the universe), a “locavore”, an “invasivore”, a food activist, a writer, a teacher and the author of her latest book, Wild About Weeds: An Introduction to Uncultivated Food. The book is a product of her deeply-rooted love of and connection to nature, slow food living, foraging and their important interrelations. It...

Meet Us in the Middle

How often do you visit Hillcrest? It’s kind of an in-between area – a middle place if you will – and is often overshadowed by other spots around the KZN countryside and coastlines. It’s time to give this area some love and share a few great places that you must visit during your next Hillcrest trip!   Before we do anything, let’s start with food. Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market’s main attraction is their incredible...

Unapologetically Afro Porto

It’s quite simple – if you have ever gone on holiday to the lovely country of Mozambique, then visiting the local Mozambik restaurants is a no-brainer to help quench the cravings, from the jugs of R&R and the atmosphere to the look and feel of the restaurant and, of course, the food! With its roots firmly set in passion and its flavours unapologetically Afro Porto, the Mozambik restaurant group is fast becoming one of South...

Easter Weekend Easy Bites

You have your Easter Sunday feast all planned, but what about the rest of the long weekend? Chef Ross Birkin from ANEW Hotel Hilton Pietermaritzburg shares some scrumptious dishes for you to try at home.   Roast Butternut, Toasted Pumpkin Seed & Danish Feta Salad Serves 1 INGREDIENTS 1 half butternut, cut into evenly sized squares 80g toasted pumpkin seeds 80g chickpeas, drained and ready 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 red pepper 100g baby spinach...

Beyond the Boundaries of Taste: Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine

The Midlands food scene would not be the same without the renowned Jackie Cameron. From putting Hartford House on the national culinary map to writing international award-winning cookbooks, she has many accolades under her belt that earn her the title of the best of the best. However, one of her most significant contributions to the local area is without a doubt her passion for sharing her talent and skill with aspiring chefs at the Jackie...

Date Night: In or Out

With Love Month on our doorstep, some of you may want to celebrate by dining out while others want a cosy night in – either way can be fun and delectably done with the help of these suggestions!   A Romantic Picnic at Home You don’t need to eat out to have a special date night. Why not indulge in a cosy indoor picnic instead? Set the mood and turn your living room into a...

Make Yourself at Home

The Olde Duck is a cosy restaurant run by Jeannine Bonsma, who started it 20 years ago, sold it, and then rebought it in 2014. She has partnered with her daughter, Bronwyn Penny, who bought into the business in 2020.   The restaurant is situated on a quaint working dairy farm, Marlin Farm, in Underberg. Whether you are just passing through for a snack or enjoying a delicious lunch with friends or family, this is...

Restaurant Review: Wimpy Howick

Every South African knows and loves their local Wimpy – it’s been a part of our culture since the franchise first opened in Durban in 1967. As we walked into Wimpy Howick, we were invited by a relaxing, friendly atmosphere. We had a cosy table by the window that gave us enough privacy to enjoy ourselves, and we could’ve sat there for hours chatting amidst the other patrons. It’s the perfect space to sit back...

Lunchbox Ideas

Find out what the best, nutritious foods for your children are, which will support them in their growth and development as they embark on their new school year.   It can be tricky to come up with interesting, healthy lunchbox ideas to keep your school-going children happy. Ideally, there needs to be a variety of snacky foods available, with at least two options to choose from. Always make sure that there is a substantial protein...

DIY Charcuterie Board

Create an interactive harvest for your family and friends, with tips and tricks to help you wow everyone. Nothing is better than spending quality time with your friends and family. Sometimes cooking for big groups of people takes a whole day, and the plates of appetisers sometimes just end up being a bowl of crisps or the infamous board of biltong…well, here is something you have to try! A Charcuterie board! A beautiful yet simple...