Fattening the curve, with love

ONE of South Africa’s most famous TV faces, former face of SABC3 Prim Reddy, has teamed up with businesswoman and speed queen Niranj Pather for the launch of a “foodgasm” of recipes lovers of hot, exotic food.

Reddy, a mom of one, formerly from Durban, runs the award-winning Indian Chapter Restaurant in Blouberg, Cape Town, while Pather owns the iconic Island Hotel in Isipingo, south of Durban.

Reddy said the visual feast collection which has been in production for 12 months is a labour of love, reflecting good friendship, and travel memories through meals.

“It also celebrates the lockdown which has taught us how to find creative ways to survive with small businesses shut down, meaning many are looking at not just making it but learning new skills and trying out different things, also in the kitchen,” she said.

Published by Struik Lifestyle, part of the Penguin Random House SA stable, features 83 recipes depicting a melting pot of cultures and contemporary food trends.

Reddy describes herself as a “small town girl” who had a love affair with food. But she made her name during a 16-year stint on TV.

However, her roots go back to the family spice shop where she helped run the business in Durban market.

is about telling stories through food, across cultural boundaries,” she said.

To give the book an edge, a lifestyle offering, wine pairing and a celebration of taste, Reddy turned to Pather – no stranger to the culinary world, she bakes, cooks, is a successful entrepreneur and knows her way around the race track often leaving Reddy holding onto her seat praying for dear life.

Their recipes are across cultures, a culmination passed down through generations, gained on their travels, transporting one from local Indian cuisine to that of the sub-continent, braaivleis, Italian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese and African.

“It’s the love and passion for every offering, yet the real joy comes from watching the satisfaction on the faces of family and friends from plate to palate,” said Pather.

Reddy is wonderful and outgoing while Pather is smart and reserved, but they are great friends who believe that laughter and a love of life, people and food are intrinsic ingredients in the kitchen.

In the notes they penned, they said: “Beautiful food creations are the greatest expression of love and the best stress reliever. Grind, cut, dice, sliver, chop, blend, press, that’s what we do to ingredients and they don’t talk back to you. Then like a lover, we touch, feel, caress, lather and allow the fragrance of the spices, like a perfume, to entice you and you know exactly what’s going to happen next.

“That’s the ‘Foodgasm’, that moment when everything comes together on the palate & the soul connection is instantaneous, sensational and unforgettable.”

That’s fattening the curve – with love and laughter. is on sale from tomorrow at R380. for