FAST FORWARD TO 2017,

when Mooru, now 19, and Sepial decided to enrol at Silwood Culinary School. “I never thought cooking was my thing,” she says. “But I’ve always loved taking care of people and making them happy, and I realised that cooking is the easiest way to do this.”

Along with culinary expertise, Silwood afforded Sepial the opportunity to see whether she could make a real go of owning a food business. “After Silwood, I began to test the market to see what people liked, and how I enjoyed working in food.” She began to pop up at markets all over Cape Town and applied for every small rental space available. “I never planned to open a restaurant in Salt River; it just happened.” Fate worked in her favour, and she admits that it is the perfect spot. “There are so many creatives and food businesses in the area and everyone is supportive of one another.”