Jenny Crwys-Williams spoke to Liziwe Matloha, a cook and author of Dinner at Matloha, a book filled with exciting everyday South African recipes we all grew up with, for all seasons.
A book that belongs in every South African’s home, whether you fancy indulgent amagwinya, isijingi, umnqusho, umleqwa, dikwata or a traditional ‘seven colours’meal, the book has got them all covered.
Over the years she’s taken to social media to share her exciting recipes, here she shares an Amasi Marinated Chicken Roast:
From corporate to the kitchen
Matloha reflected on a turning point in her life, where she left the corporate world to pursue her dream as a chef.
“I felt like there was this emptiness, that there was something I still needed to complete. I would question a lot of things, because I am very spiritual. I wasn’t successful in a way in which I thought I wanted to be, it wasn’t financially, but emotionally. I wasn’t completely happy.”
Her approach in the kitchen is all about simplicity and making everyday food elegantly. Her food showcases ingredients that reflect her culinary heritage and her passion for South African.
“That’s the message I want to bring across, that these recipes and everything is inspired by my family and my cooking classes were inspired by my dinner table. It’s really exciting to simply cook a family-style meal, it’s not complicated food. It’s a staple food that’s affordable, and budget-friendly.”
She also owns a private restaurant called Dinner at Matloha’s in Boksburg. Through her business, she offers cooking classes and caters for events as a private chef.
Image: @dinneratmatlohas | Instagram
