The Citizen (Gauteng)

A love affair with food

RUSTIC CHAKULA: MODERN, YUPPIE AFRICAN COOKING PROGRAMME

- Tshepiso Makhele

The new culinary show premieres today on SABC 3

ustic Chakula, hosted by the Afrocentri­c, charming cosmopolit­an chef Sizo Henna, is a lifestyle cooking show that discovers and celebrates the modern, yuppie African lifestyle.

It will debut today on SABC 3 at 8.30pm.

On the show he explores a contempora­ry lifestyle through prominent African guests, art, music, destinatio­ns and cultures.

All his travel experience­s allow him to bring culinary creations that are rustic in taste and look.

“I can’t wait for viewers to see what I do. They will witness me using some of gogo’s old recipes, with a Sizo twist. The show will allow me to create classic meals,” the enthusiast­ic Henna says.

He believes what makes his cooking show extraordin­ary is how “raw” he is as an individual.

“I’m not a presenter. I’m just a chef with 15 years of industry experience. The only thing I know that I do well is cooking. That is what makes my show different.”

The talented chef is quite easily South Africa’s best kept secret among the rich and famous in Mzansi. This young, energetic profession­al chef who studied at London’s prestigiou­s Walthamsto­w Forest College has a very simple business concept – “Do a stunning job every time”.

This, he says, has evidently worked for him because he is very well known and is in demand from politician­s and business people.

While travelling around the world, Henna learnt about different cultures and cuisines, from Swiss cuisine in Geneva, to spicy, hot Indian cuisine in Mumbai, the chunky fish and chips and mushy peas in London, to pan fried foie-gras in France, to creamy mngqusho back home in Bisho.

He has had the privilege of working with different chefs from different background­s.

“I learnt a lot about British cuisine from my English head chef, Spanish cuisine from my sous chef from Spain and Caribbean cuisine from my Jamaican class mate,” he says

On his show he will try to demonstrat­e how simplicity is always best, and how one ingredient can turn into multiple dishes. “The love I have for food is remarkable,” he says. “With

food I get to learn each and every day. I can’t know too much. It’s absolutely a love affair. I’m extremely excited about my show.”

The chef says for those that don’t understand the name, watching the show will enlighten them about why he named it Rustic Chakula.

“For me the name signifies warmth and simplicity,” he says.

If you want to join Henna by hanging out with celebritie­s and learn about great dishes, tune in today.

I can’t wait for viewers to see what I do.

 ??  ?? WINTER WARMER. Spicy Tomato and Vodka Soup. MOUTH WATERING. Sizo Henna’s Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks
WINTER WARMER. Spicy Tomato and Vodka Soup. MOUTH WATERING. Sizo Henna’s Slow-Cooked Lamb Shanks
 ??  ?? HOST. Sizo Henna
HOST. Sizo Henna
 ??  ?? HEAVEN IN A BOWL. Sizo’s rustic oxtail
HEAVEN IN A BOWL. Sizo’s rustic oxtail

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