In my culinary journey, I have had the privilege of studying under an incredible mentor, Chef Marco Morana. He stands out as one of the hardest task masters I’ve encountered. His expertise and attention to detail have left an indelible mark on my culinary skills. The admiration I have for
“When a blank wall is turned into a captivating canvas, an intriguing story unfolds. If you look very closely, you might find a part of you in that story.” – Cariema Isaacs In the bustling streets of Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Muslim Quarter, a blank wall transformed into a
As I trace back my Cape Malay culinary heritage, it’s clear that the intermingling of cultures and world cuisine existed long before my forefathers reached the Cape. Malacca, the oldest city in Malaysia, was my first stop in my heritage journey. Toward the end of the 15th century, Malacca was
The pursuit to see your dreams materialise requires relentless determination. There will be days when everything that comes at you, creates doubt and uncertainty about the life span of the passion project you are bringing to life. Sometimes we might encounter the odd “it’s just not the right time” or
In the company of @shamilaskitchen and @nabeela_isaacs One of the things I have in common with both of these women is that they don’t like sitting for too long unless it’s for lunch but even then, it’s brainstorming and conversation with purpose. Like them, I need movement and progression, something
The moment when one human being acknowledges or recognises what the other means to them, energy is activated. We all need some form of validation, an affirmation from people that we are in relationships with that they “see us”, “get us” and “hear us”. I refer to @jonesingrid as my
A watershed moment at Die Wordfees, as I return to Stellenbosch where my mom was born, to talk about my latest cookbook #moderncapemalaycooking I shared the stage today with Aunty Mardia Hendricks @eezy_foods and Shamila Mollajee @shamilaskitchen The conversation flowed all thanks to @shihaam_domingo who allowed us to share our
I sit silently this morning, overwhelmed with emotions, as I reflect on the incredible journey of my book launches. These events have been more than just opportunities to promote my work; they have been moments of connection, love, and gratitude. Each experience has enriched my heart, sharpened my mind, and
“Every person is a new door to a different world” and that’s exactly what I felt yesterday hosting a cooking class for the Shell Iraq Outpost. These are the first set of photographs Turhaan Samodien had taken, and I couldn’t help myself from posting the whole bang lot! It’s
The Elita Restaurant in Galle is close to the Galle Fort in Sri Lanka, and this is where I met Sanju. Her brother owns the restaurant, which is situated on Middle Street, a quaint little place that serves the freshest seafood in town! It’s here where Sanju teaches her cooking