Cook along at home with five of SA’s best chefs during lockdown

A host of beloved South African chefs have been popping up all over social media to whet the palates of their followers during these trying times. Some are posting recipes, others simple kitchen hacks, while a few are going all-out with at-home cooking demos. They are doing a fantastic job of showing the positivity and resilience within the industry. We rounded up a few of our favourites.

1. DAVID HIGGS

The chef behind Joburg hot spots Marble and Saint was an early adopter, having closed his restaurants when the preliminary restrictions around public gatherings were implemented. He started off with the #WhatsInYourFridge challenge. For this he asked followers to snap pics of the contents of their fridges which he used to make dinner suggestions. Next, it was #HiggsOnHisEggs where the My Kitchen Rules judge gave step-by-step instructions for making the perfect omelette, as well as fried and poached eggs. This week, he’s taken things to the next level with insta-cooking demos preparing the likes of “Asiany salmon and prawn brof” (broth), “salmon seviche” (ceviche) and haddock mac and cheese.

Where to watch: @davidhiggschef

2. LUKE DALE ROBERTS

World-renowned chef and owner of The Test Kitchen (named best restaurant in Africa and 44th in the world by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants) had followers of the eatery’s account pleasantly surprised when he announced he’d be doing a page takeover. Dale Roberts, who has been notoriously scarce on social media, has taken to Instagram with a series of quick and easy recipes, as well as live workout sessions with his personal trainer Brent. The latter is probably a good idea if you’ll be indulging in the likes of BBQ bananas with salted caramel sauce or beef dripping fried eggs.

Where to watch: @thetestkitchenct

3. CHANTEL DARTNALL

Dartnall, the acclaimed chef at Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient, has decided to invite fans and followers into her kitchen with a series of posts and videos. Dartnall, best-known for her astoundingly beautiful botanical cuisine, shares helpful tips and tricks, as well as a few of her favourite recipes. Head on over to her page to find out the secret to extending the shelf life of avocados, tips for flipping the perfect pancakes, the recipe for her “Granny’s banana bread” and much more.

Where to watch: @ChantelDartnallOfficial

4. BERTUS BASSON

The award-winning chef behind Stellenbosch fine dining restaurants Eike and Overture and the more casual, but equally delicious, eateries Spek & Bone and De Vrije Burger has been keeping himself busy by filming a series of cooking demos for his followers and posting them to his Instagram account.

The “series” gives a picturesque look into the chef’s home and garden, complete with a menagerie and a vegetable garden (he often cooks with produce straight from his backyard), and cameos from his wife Marlie and son Theodore. Head on over to find tips for fillet and roast fish, sautéed ricotta dumplings, how to bake a decadent chocolate fondant cake and, while you’re there, take time to “meet” the family pig Spek and boxer Bone (the namesakes for his Dorp Street restaurant).

Where to watch: @bertusbasson

5. JACKIE CAMERON

The KwaZulu-Natal top chef, and principal at the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine, has been sharing recipes from her cookbooks Jackie Cameron Cooks at Home and Baking with Jackie Cameron. After getting many requests, she has been generously dishing out her best recipes. If you’re looking to make rusks, kid-friendly crystallised sugar cupcakes or crunchy corn fritters, check out her feed. The mom-to-be has included some fun candid-kitchen shots as she teaches her husband to bake during lockdown.

Where to look: @jackiecameronincolour