By Alexis Burg To take an idea and transform it into an organised and measurable commodity is a difficult pursuit, to say the least. When that idea depends entirely on a wild, real life adventure, you might go as far as to call it a madman’s gamble. Truth is stranger than fiction, and real life [...]
Check it out!
I am sad to the core. On Saturday I got a call from Bool Smuts of the Landmark Foundation, an NGO that specialises in building the conservation economy. One of their projects is the conservation of apex predators. They had trapped a leopard on a farm near Hermanus – a cause for great celebration, because [...]
Check it out!
It is said that one sheep in the Karoo has to walk a square mile to get a square meal, which is why Karoo farms need to be large enough to sustain enough sheep for the books to balance. It also means that farmers who are concerned with keeping the land rich and fertile for [...]
Check it out!
With Easter around the corner, it’s a great time to get your taste buds going! This month’s competition is FUN and DELICIOUS and if you win, you’ll get an Easter basket filled with Cooked goodies! ENTER IN TWO RELATIVELY EASY STEPS: Cook one of your favourite family recipes. Take a picture of your dish. Send [...]
Check it out!
“Know Thyself” A well-known inscription in the temple forecourt of Apollo at Delphi. The past holiday I had the opportunity to interact with the beautiful people of South Africa. The people of the West Coast do not only exist, they flourish in their own beautiful way and love with great passion. We were stranded at [...]
Check it out!
Worms are one of the major players in the decomposition of organic matter. A worm farm is practically odour and fly free and compact. What it produces though is where the real magic happens…I call it agricultural gold. – You need to score three wooden or plastic containers that fit into one another – they [...]
Check it out!
In the good old days, old Mac Donald had a farm… and on that farm he had some chickens, some ducks, some turkeys and other farm animals. These days Mac Donald is a global corporation producing fast food at low prices. In order to keep prices low and a constant supply of fast chicken nuggets, [...]
Check it out!
I’m not sure whether it is the knowledge that I have gleaned in over thirty years of being in love with the ocean or Justin getting sick and tired of me talking about it whenever I can, but here I sit writing a blog for him. I’ve been involved with Cooked since the 1st episode, [...]
Check it out!
While filming Getaway to Africa in northern Mozambique we travelled along a gravel road that seemed to be headed nowhere. As we sped over a rise, we witnessed a site I had never seen before in my life. It looked like a pond of human sized locusts devouring the remnants of a fallen forest. We [...]
Check it out!
Hi. I am Helena Kingwill. I am a free-lance journalist, TV. -Researcher and independent filmmaker. I make documentaries about environmental concerns. (See more on my film Buried in Earthskin.) When Justin’s producer called me up out of the blue one day and asked if I could quickly research 13 episodes for Cooked 5, I jumped [...]
Check it out!
On Tuesday the 22nd of February, Tanya Bonello will be showing her latest work, titled ‘The 3 Ages of Mankind.’ Tanya Bonello is a mixed media artist who works with gypsum, rust, linseed oil and oil paint. Her paintings are held in private and corporate collections locally, as well as in London, New York, San [...]
Check it out!
You won’t believe it! I just flew on our national carrier, and instead of the ubiquitous “chicken or beef,’ today I am proud to say that on SAA Flight SA326, I was offered “Chicken or Veg.” Yup. I still can’t believe it. Maybe they’ve actually been listening. Look as I keep saying, it’s not a [...]
Check it out!
I feel like I’m traveling more and more every year. In fact, last year I laughed at Bill Granger’s hectic schedule, until I had my own crazy schedule! So, it was pretty routine when i boarded a flight on our national carrier. Once we were safely up in the air, the air hostesses started serving [...]
Check it out!
I’ve just spent six weeks on the Wild Coast dreaming up ideas for new shows. And while sitting on the beach with a line in the water, I came up with the idea of producing twelve new shows this year. Insane? You got it! I am Cooked after all! We’ve been back at the office [...]
Check it out!
Hey Guys and Girls! We DARE you to win really (REALLY) big with Cooked in Africa before Christmas! Just follow the instructions below: 1. Go to THE GREAT FOOD HOODWINK 2. Click on ‘Like’ 3. Click on Hoodwink. 4. Watch the video – concentrate! 5. Go to your local supermarket or grocer. 6. Be all [...]
Check it out!
This spit was designed and made by my friend Gareth Beaumont and me in just 10 minutes on his father-in-law’s farm in Galileo in Grabouw. You will need: – 2 x uprights of hollow square steel with a 4cm diameter – 100 cm long. – 1 x spit pole made from hollow square steel [...]
Check it out!
It’s time to get your hands dirty! Nothing beats saying “everything in this dish came straight out of my garden!” Before you start: Make sure that your seeds are fresh. As a general rule, seeds should be sown at a depth of about three times their own size. With very fine seeds, like carrots and [...]
Check it out!
The fire is almost out and one can hear the jackal call. From the dim light of the cabin we all looked for a last time at our assembled rods, strung lines and the flies we have decided on, before retiring to bed. Our party has discussed in depth what fly we should use early [...]
Check it out!
As a kid I used to really enjoy sitting out in the sun with my housekeeper eating sweet apricot jam and butter sandwiches dipped in even sweeter tea. This was not just any maid, she was very special, we used to call her Gogo (a Zulu word for Granny).Gogo instilled in me a true feeling [...]
Check it out!
It is the time of the year where we start reflecting as wine lovers, entrepreneurs, agriculturalists, and oenologists with the dawning of a new vintage. Accolades are coming to those who worked hard, and the fruits of the previous harvest are starting to pay off whilst showing its true potential. Stuart who has been voted [...]
Check it out!
It’s competition time at Cooked and it’s just in time for Christmas! Simply answer the question below and send your answer to info@cookedinafrica.com You could win Cooked Season 1, 2 and 3 PLUS Justin’s new book Cooked Weekends Away – perfect to take on any weekend or holiday! Question: What are the names of the [...]
Check it out!
After checking out free-range beef in Namibia, our next stop was the Pool family farm in Biesiesfontein on the West Coast where we hoped to remove ourselves from the grid. We said our goodbyes to the Kibble’s and drove the 1000 odd kilometres back into South Africa in one stretch, crossing the border post at [...]
Check it out!
We’re sitting on the roof of our Land Cruiser, watching millions of wildebeest as far as the eye can see. It is hard to comprehend. Almost 2.5 million wildebeest, zebra and gazelle migrate yearly over the beautiful plains of the Serengeti, tracked by lions, hyenas and crocodiles at river crossings, setting the scene for one [...]
Check it out!
It is most important for every visitor to realise that you are just that … a visitor to a country, a region and for that matter to this planet. However, travelling to merely observe will leave you with a shallow experience of Africa. Get off the bus and take a walk through the village. Stay [...]
Check it out!
View the latest work of Tanya Bonello at the G2 Art Gallery in Cape Town. Tanya Bonello is a mixed media artist who works with gypsum, rust, linseed oil and oil paint. Her paintings are held in private and corporate collections locally, as well as in London, New York, San Francisco, Warsaw and Milan. Her [...]
Check it out!
In current times society has to adapt to issues such as credit-crunches, rising food- and petrol prices, speeding fines and World Cups. We all look out for good deals in any shape or form, because we all scrape the barrel from time to time. There are some handy pointers that I should equip you with [...]
Check it out!
Visiting a nomadic Masai tribe must be one of my most colourful experiences. They are driven by their passion for their land and cattle. Their daily life revolves around their cattle. Status is derived from their relationship to their cattle and the amount of children they have. The more cattle a Masai has, the richer [...]
Check it out!
Hi Cooked Fans! Stand the chance to win a Cooked in Africa book signed by Justin! All you need to do is this: 1. Subscribe to our newsletter if you haven’t already. 2. Answer the question below. 3. EMAIL your answer to info@cookedinafrica.com The Question: What nicknames did Justin and his crew give their FOUR [...]
Check it out!
After such a fully packed, “lekker” (Afrikaans for “awesome”) year of filming Exploring the Vine, there’s been quite a few enquiries about what we’ve been up to. Off camera – myself and the duo still make time to get together (especially for those infamous Sunday lunches!) and constructively criticise and taste each others‘wines and the [...]
Check it out!
It is incredible to see what can be carried on a bicycle. While filming “Getaway to Africa” in Malawi we met a mad hatter named Kenny Shane, a Canadian who had just about cycled right around the globe over a period of 25 years. He was making his way southwards to Cape Town and then [...]
Check it out!
Vintage is the year in which the grapes inside your bottle of wine was picked and processed. That is the year that’s visible on the label of your bottle. In the case of un-wooded white wines, the year is a reflection of when it was produced and bottled and probably sold. Some of you might [...]
Check it out!
From the bright light into the dark shack my eyes take some time adjusting to the darkness inside. My guide introduces me to Gogo, meaning Mama. For many years Soweto was the “small parliament” in the days of apartheid. Soweto is also the most populous township in Africa. I cannot help but notice the novel, [...]
Check it out!
When we plan a trip into the great unknown it is most important to be properly prepared to go out there and brave all that Africa may throw at you, and believe me she will throw. So be ready to shoot! The biggest regret I have as a traveller is I always make the mistake [...]
Check it out!
I have a rabbit problem. Imagine my horror, when, lusting after a fresh garden salad I went to the veggie patch, basket in hand, ready to pick all the crunchy goodness my heart desired… only to discover that some fluffy little critter had beaten me to it! Yes, a cuddly wuddly rabbit had snacked on [...]
Check it out!
It is early on Saturday morning in Swaziland. All along the road I notice children walking. Some are chewing on sugarcane sticks. The boys are drawing lines in the sand with branches. The older ones are pushing the younger ones on the wheelbarrows. These children are off to the nearest source of water. Collecting water [...]
Check it out!
We just had the Mothership, Panther and Christmas Tree serviced at Land Rover. The guys were so amazing, Justin gave them two Cooked books as a thank you! Maybe next time we roll up, they’ll get some of Justin’s famous Stuffed Vetkoek to munch on! Stuffed vetkoek are lekker padkos! Make them on the road, [...]
Check it out!
Most striking to me in my travels in Africa is that each country we visited over the shows we produced “Cooked” and “Getaway to Africa” was that in each country we experienced something special and different. Whether a perfect silence experienced in a village in Lesotho at nightfall, the rolling hills of the Kingdom of [...]
Check it out!
“A place of shimmering lakes, meandering waterways, tropical forests, remote beaches all within the iSimagaliso Wetland Park” The route we took between Thonga Beach Lodge and Kosi Forest Lodge is meant to take about an hour and a quarter. We took 5 hours. Along the way we pulled into secluded bays, stopped at scenic view [...]
Check it out!
“.. little piece of heaven situated in a world heritage site at Mabibi” We have had an interesting last few days. We left the Transkei and continued north all the way to Thonga Beach Lodge, just beneath Mozambique. En route we spent a night in Amanzimtoti, at a Guest house called Graceland – named because [...]
Check it out!
We arrived at the farm Klein Rivertjie, before the sun had set, which was very interesting as we got to see just how close we are to the SA/Zimbabwe border, only 800m. The Nel’s farm a wide variety of veggies, smart – not to have your eggs in one basket and now even I am [...]
Check it out!
A little bit of rain is a very big deal here in the drought-stricken Eastern Cape. In fact whenever it does rain, I stop what I am doing to say a private Thank-You and then turn my attention to the relief-inspiring sound of rainwater running into our underground reservoir. It’s music to my ears. The [...]
Check it out!
At Cooked, we get the travel bug more often than not. In fact, we are a big green travel bug! BUT no matter what our mode of transport or where we stay, we always make sure to keep it as green as possible. Here are five small things you can do to make sure you [...]
Check it out!
With the overwhelming response Justin received for his first book “Cooked in Africa” we decided to publish two more! Jump in the car with Weekends Away and shrug off the everyday pressures of modern living. The book is filled with ideas on how you can immerse yourself in your natural surroundings and while you’re at [...]
Check it out!
Cooked in Africa Films is famous for its striking cooking and travel shows featuring South Africa’s very own celebrity cook Justin Bonello and a crew of fun-loving, mischievous friends travelling around South Africa experiencing breath-taking sites and having food-filled adventures. Cooked’s new website “bucks the trend”, and is an interactive, user-friendly showcase of the work [...]
Check it out!
Justin first caught the eye of TV watchers in Cooked Season 1. He was full of charm and charisma creating a new brand of bush cooking. Justin’s charm is still abundant, but in Season 4 he takes on the more serious side of cooking. If possible, try to forget for a moment that what Justin [...]
Check it out!
On Monday, I strolled to a beloved deli down the road from my office. It’s one of my favourite places because everything is made from scratch every day, including wraps, chicken pies, spaghetti meat balls and soups. When you walk inside, it smells like love. So there I was, facing the friendly girl on the [...]
Check it out!
So, the search to green my life and live more sustainably continues. My first stop? Wild Organics Trading Store. Since finding this place, it’s changed what I eat, when I eat it and how I think about food. Lately, when I walk down the gleaming supermarket aisle or ponder over a menu at a restaurant [...]
Check it out!
Hi Cooked groupies, We are giving away a DVD box set of the new Cooked Season 4! How do you enter? 1 . Simply, subscribe to our website newsletter and stand a chance to win this amazing prize! (To subscribe to our “What’s in the pot?” newsletter: Go on to the homepage, there is a [...]
Check it out!
Danny, who has been with us since we began shooting a month ago, has left us. We all knew the day was coming but had hoped it wouldn’t. In much of Southern Africa a true reflection of a man’s wealth is the number of heads of livestock he has. It’s a little different with us, [...]
Check it out!
The contrast is overwhelming. Thea Litschka, the white witch, as called by the locals, catching black mambas. Compassionate deeds, kindness, mercy, and reaching out to others are required of all of us who desire to be on the path of wisdom. If you ever drive past Simunye, Swaziland, ask for Thea or Clifton who will [...]
Check it out!
We left Cape Town, just over a month ago to shoot our 5th season of Cooked, Living Free. To date, after travelling more than 12000 km’s around South Africa to say that we were amped to take on the Mountain kingdom of Lesotho in our fleet of Landies would be a complete understatement. The first [...]
Check it out!
What does wine mean to you? Take a second and swirl this around in your head, and answer this question internally, yet truthfully. Your answer determines whether you fall into the novice, lover, connoisseur or even just consumer category (Which is great too!). My aim is to narrow the wide scissors between these different levels [...]
Check it out!
Its funny how easily one can fall into the swing of the way things used to be, where our daily priorities were not only about those things that make us happy but the ones that are an integral part of survival. But at what cost? After two solid days of travel, starting at Katse Dam, [...]
Check it out!
If you’re partial to vast mountainous regions, with beautiful river valleys and unrivalled peace and quiet, come spend a few days here, you’ll love it. We have been here for the last 3 days and it’s one of those crazy beautiful places that takes your mind far away from the humdrum monotony of city living. [...]
Check it out!
Day 5: Goodbye Elgin Chickens, Hello Karoo Lamb We left Elgin as early as possible and made our way up the N2 as far as George, where we then travelled inland over the Outeniqua pass. It was goodbye to the sea for now and hello to the Karoo (South Africa’s largest semi-arid desert). We drove [...]
Check it out!
If of you can remember in the 3rd season of Cooked Justin made a particularly ‘savoury’ chicken baked in bread dough. Well tonight Tina Beaumont, the proprietor of this recipe and a couple other mates would be coming for dinner. So Justin and Tina met at Jeanne’s house and proceeded to show a new bunch [...]
Check it out!
Is the grass greener on the other side? Last year I decided to recycle my life, and inevitably discovered the answer to that question. My husband and I traded in our film-industry careers to farm organic vegetables, and replaced the hustle-and-bustle traffic fumes of Jozi for a windswept sea-view stoep in the forgotten frontier of [...]
Check it out!
Three hot young men making wine, drinking wine and talking about wine. What’s not to love about this series? South Africa with its rich cultural history, diversity and natural beauty also boasts a thriving and internationally award winning wine industry. Less than an hour’s drive from the majestic Table Mountain and Cape Town’s famous beaches [...]
Check it out!
We wake up at 6am, some of us are going to take a bit of time to adjust to the ‘Cooked’ way of life but seeing as it’s the first day of shooting on the road we are all sporting our poker faces. The shooting crew pile into the Mothership and Panther in search the [...]
Check it out!
It’s Elgin, not ‘El Jin’ – that’s what Mexican prostitutes would call it! So we have finally said goodbye to our Mother city. Today was complete madness as we combined a full work day with the mightiest of all packing of the vehicles sessions (to become part of the daily routine). In the end we [...]
Check it out!
So if you don’t know already, Land Rover have generously given us 4X4X4’s (all a little confusing at first). They are Justin’s bad ass Discovery 4 otherwise known as the ‘The Mother ship’ Sunel’s Defender, Panther, Wesley’s defender, Daisy and the newest member of the Team, Calvin’s yet to be named (Cal wants to call [...]
Check it out!
The Big Shi(f)t I’ve been called a tree-hugging hippy more times than I care to remember and I resent it. I love Gucci. Guess. Diesel. Armani. And nice things. I don’t have the dreaded dreads. I don’t wear homemade rainbow- spiral tie dyed tees or sandals made of grass. I believe in personal hygiene. And [...]
Check it out!
When I was in my twenties, struggling to find a career, I lucked upon a movie and remember a line that went something like this “find something you really enjoy doing, then try find a way to make a living out of it”. I figured well, I really like going on holiday, so I did, [...]
Check it out!
(Delve into the heart of the African community, with photographer Chris Litschka, as she explores moments in their lives, depicting many mysteries through words and images. Join her as she shares her lessons in passion and traditions on …) When I saw the movie “Out Of Africa” I fell in love with its people, its [...]
Check it out!
I’m known as Howard Booysen, son of happily married parents and one older sibling, my sis. I was born in the Northern suburbs in the mother city of Cape Town. (Not on a farm though…) I’m a 27 year old bachelor who’s highly energetic with a passion for creating, living, experiencing and people. I have [...]
Check it out!
Justin is almost about to talk at TEDxSeaPoint - you can watch it live #TEDxSeaPoint @Justin_Bonello 2012-03-24
Do you have any food puzzles you'd like to have solved (like baking an egg on a rock in the heat of the Karoo)?... http://t.co/jR1CgAHl 2012-02-16
Any great dishes on your valentines menu? Is braaing allowed? 2012-02-14
TV Opportunity! http://t.co/NbthGfbe 2012-02-09
Are you based in Cape Town? Are you passionate about the Braai? Do you love TV so much, you want to be on it?... http://t.co/UVxMMftI 2012-02-09
Check out the promos for The Ride: Race Across the Steppe coming to SABC 3 this... http://t.co/Thon7Wnd 2012-02-08
Since I got back from Elandsvlei, I've been trying to figure out what happened to the green pumpkin I brought... http://t.co/8nptmD5X 2012-02-06
Karoo Survival Tip #1 Remember to pack a puncture repair kit! http://t.co/bDk8PlsG 2012-02-01
Cheese from the Karoo! I made the best cheesy omelets with these last week! Thanks to the guys and girls from... http://t.co/YmxqOHVT 2012-02-01
Think wine drinking is for the old folks? Think again! Catch the first episode of Exploring the Vine on SABC3... http://t.co/buLsfWF4 2012-01-31
Land Rover South Africa Karoo Nights http://t.co/tm5N5K18 2012-01-30
Some behind the scenes pics of Justin's next show - coming soon(ish)! http://t.co/pDHXRwI7 2012-01-30
Back from the Karoo & my head is filled with stories to tell...but you'll have to wait for my new series! 2012-01-30
Time to go play in the Karoo! In this heat, we might come back crispy and fried! 2012-01-24
Just escaped having to sing on http://t.co/Gb3S30kW - phew! Tune in and listen live. (not me singing though!) 2012-01-23
I'm on 2oceansvibe right now! Tune into https://t.co/uDKU3RFs Lekker! http://t.co/XgCSXciM 2012-01-23
Leaving for the Karoo tomorrow to film my new series. Can't wait to cook and play! 2012-01-23
What more can we do to protect our rhinos? http://t.co/4eMhq0CT 2012-01-20
Still 'Loving it' and think it's 'finger licking good' ? Check this out.... http://t.co/dWUmoWEf 2012-01-18
If you're stuck in a hot office, what's the best way to cool off? 2012-01-17
Great little review on my latest book: http://t.co/JZfJvL2u 2012-01-16
Back in the office today after a great holiday. Happy 2012! It's going to be a busy year! 2012-01-16
Driving to my secret spot on the Wild Coast tomorrow for some much needed R&R with my family. Have a great... http://t.co/HCmKt6qm 2011-12-15
This Sunday on Around Iceland on Inspiration: http://t.co/rpEThMJP - Catch it on SABC3 at 18h00! http://t.co/gZn8aXkD 2011-12-14
A day in the Karoo http://t.co/54WR2hB0 2011-12-13
