News @ Cooked In Africa Films

One the road again

2010-02-25T12:39:00.000-08:00

So we are out and about once again on the roads of Sothern Africa. Folllow Justin, the crew and our three new landies @ http://twitter.com/cookedinafrica

7 women, Justin and a baby

2010-02-04T01:04:00.000-08:00

So Cooked 4 is finally well underway. We have spent the last week shooting at Gold restaurant on Strand Street in Cape Town. What a restaurant this is, a little garden oasis smack-bang in the heart of South Africa's oldest CBD. If you haven't yet been there check it out, its well worth it!

The restaurant is owned by Cindy. She not only runs the restaurant but also doubles as a cook. The kitchen is 'manned' by Mpumi, the head chef and her team of multicultural African women. Not such a bad place to spend a week, had Justin not been trying his hand at cutting it in a propper kitchen with a team of pros.

The fascinating dynamic in this professional set up is not that this might just be the only female run restaurant-kitchen I know about but rather that Mpumi, and her team rely on what their mothers' and grandmothers' have taught them about food, instead of a bunch of degrees. This is cooking as it's meant to be: a series of tasting and discussing rather than qualifications and cookbooks.

After a tough and rewarding week Justin is going to have to bring his A- game. He'll be taking what he has learned at Gold and mixing it with his Cooked style for WOMEN (and men) today in Franschhoek - the heat is on.

bring on 2010

2010-01-20T02:54:00.000-08:00

2010 has bugun with a bang, we are a week into the new year (our new year) and already are well underway on preproduction for a small commercial job. Over the upcoming weekend we will be filming the remainder of the 1st episode of Cooked 5 'Out of the frying Pan' @ Franko's (Magica Roma) house on the Breede River, some much needed RnR after almost 8 days of work..

This year looks like it's going to be a cracker, with seasons 4 and 5 and Geataway 2 being locked off, not to mention a couple more books in the pipeline- we can't wait to get back on the road again and explore some new and less tavelled routes of this magnificent contry!

And lastly, all of us here at Cooked in Africa Films would like to wish the coolest guy in the Industry a very Happy Birthday! Danny Kodesh you rock bro!

It's a wrap

2009-12-14T22:08:00.000-08:00

To all the folkes that helped make 2009 the success it has been, thankyou from everyone @ Cooked in Africa. 2010 is forecast to be even crazier than this year which we are very much looking forward to. May everyone have a ultra-festive season and we'll see you in the new year.

Local flavours

2009-12-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, If you have ever seen any of our shows (Cooked, Getaway to Africa or Exploring the Vine) then it's very likely that you've wanted to get involved. Now's your chance.. We are looking for locally produced music to feature on our shows from now on, we are looking a variety of genres, so if you have some of your own or know of a mate with some amazing stuff please get hold of me @ martin@cookedinafrica.co.za The only catch being that you must be registered with samro htt://www.samro.org.za/ basically it's that easy.

Cooked season 4 is rolling...

2009-12-04T02:23:00.000-08:00

Today we began shooting the first episode of the 4th season of Cooked 'Out of the frying pan'. This season will see Cooked take a slightly different route, without taking away the three key ingredients (friends, food and travel) that have made the frst 3 seasons the successes that they are.

We began shooting this morning at Magica Roma, an iconic Italian styled eatery nestled away in the leafy suburb of Pinelands in Cape Town. The Restaurant's longevity comes down to two key characters, Ezio di Biaggi and Franco Zezia, the pair have run this establishment for over 20 years.

On the Menu today:

Porchetta - de-boned suckling piglet, stuffed with italian sausages and a fresh garlic and Italian herb marinade and then slow baked in a wood fired pizza oven overnight. Yum!

We will keep you posted on the rest of this culinary journey...

Cooked in Africa wins double Gold

2009-12-01T01:40:00.000-08:00

At an annual publishers' and publicists' dinner held in Jo'burg last night Cooked in Africa won both Book f the year 2009 and Cookbook of the year 2009. The Book is available at all good book stores as well as CNA and Woolies etc. as well as online, so there is no excuse not to have this book.

Each year Jenny chooses books that are her favourites - in the folowing genres - gift books, cook books, fiction and non-fiction. And this year, for COOKBOOK OF THE YEAR she has chosen Cooked in Africa.

But, thats not all..

Jenny also chooses, each year, her all time favourite BOOK OF THE YEAR and as you an imagine, many, many pass through her hands. Cooked in Africa is her BOOK OF THE YEAR too. She Has never before chosen a cookbook for this accolade - in the past it has Been given to the likes of Andre Brink, Antjie Krog, Mark Gevisser and Peter Godwin, So a hearty welcome for this is no mean feat.

A celebration of being South African

2009-11-30T23:20:00.000-08:00

We are proud to announce that last night on Carte Blanch, Jenny Crwys-Williams named our book Cooked in Africa as her cook book of the year, an accolade that we are all very proud of. You wouldn't think it, what with the amount of time Justin has spent in front of the camera but he was especially nervous/ excited to feature on Carte Blanch (The 4th thing he wanted to do before he died) So all that is left to be said is go out and get yourself a copy of this book, it's a true celebration of being simply South African.

Wickedfood.co.za

2009-11-26T01:42:00.000-08:00

Cooked in Africa by Justin Bonello - If you have been watching any BBC Lifestyle over the past year, you will have come across this quirky South African who has been traveling the length and breadth of the country cooking for friends. This book is a reflection fo some of the destinations, a great boys' book. Apart from the delicious recipes, it is also full of colloqiaul tips, and classsic South African recipes (and some modern takes), from koeksisters to bobotie. A must for every red blooded South African who loves their food.

book.co.za

2009-11-25T03:55:00.000-08:00

Another book that should sell like hot cakes is Justin Bonello's Cooked in Africa. Based on the TV series fans should eat it up. Bonello described his journey into the book world as a real "blast" saying there are some things you expect in life and others you don't. His three wishes in life have been to do stand up comedy (accomplished years ago); publish a book and sing on stage. "Two out of three isn't bad" he joked.

The Cooked in Africa cookbook is already at number 8 on the bestseller list and is being brilliantly supported locally. Exclusive books has put it on The List 2009 and Woolworths is stocking it on their shelves. You can see Justin cooking up a storm in their commercials over the festive season, a fact that certainly won't hurt book sales.

Justin is about to start the 4th and 5th installments of Cooked, as well as a second season of Getaway to Africa.

Watch this space.

Wed 20h30 Sabc 3

2009-11-24T03:09:00.000-08:00

Watch C.I.G.A.R.E. on Sabc 3 @ 20h30 this wednesday. Justin combines a bit of travel, food and new friends. He shows Etienne two new ways to prepare the classic 'fry up'. The scene is set, Stuart's garden on Eagles Nest wine farm in the heart of the Constantia Valley, where Justin adds his touch to two egg based breakies, firstly with his version the classic Spanish Tortilla and then with a firm favourite, the tin cup breakfast, which in true Cooked style of course ends up being cooked on the braai.

Yuppichef.co.za

2009-11-24T02:04:00.000-08:00

This book will be your inspiration to be adventurous, to extend your cooking repertoire and to be more ecolgically aware.

Based on the popular TV series on BBC Food, Cooked, this unique combination of places, spaces and flavours combines chef Justin's Bonello's three favourite things: Southern Africa, food and friends. Bonello is passionate about ensuring thats Africa's diverse food cultures are recorded and celebrated so that future generations will be able to savour the culinary pleasures we enjoy today. His love affair with cooking and wide-open spaces began with weekends and holidays spent in the great outdoors either on the Breede River or on the Wild Coast. He learnt to embrace the land and all that it has to offer without taking from it anything that nature can't replenish. Bonello believes that the beauty of travel and cooking can be found in searching for fresh produce, making new friends and discovering foods you didn't even know existed. Once you've learned the basics and started growing the basics, there's no reason not to produce awsome meals - all it takes is a little courage and a pinch of creativity.

Zoopy.com

2009-11-24T01:56:00.000-08:00

Local culinary genius, Justin Bonello recently released a cook book "Cooked in Africa" which holds many of the recipes from the first three seasons of is show "Cooked".

About the book

Cooked in Africa is a unique compilation of places, spaces and flavours and combines Justin Bonello's three favourite things: Southern Afica, food and friends. You'll find plenty of homespun wisdom, edgy views and fresh angles as the crew and company venture into the wilds where they capture it all - the scenery, the adventure, the interaction and, of course, the food.

Redpepperbooks

2009-11-23T00:57:00.000-08:00

This book will be you inspiration to be adventurous, to extend your cooking repertoire and to be more ecologically aware. Based on the popular TV series on BBC Food, Cooked, this unique combination of places, spaces and flavours combines chef Justin Bonello's three favourite things -Southern Africa, food and friends. Bonello is passionate about ensuring that Africa's diverse food cultures are recorded and celebrated so that future generations will be able to savour the culinary pleasures we enjoy today. His affair with food and wide-open spaces began with weekends and holidays spent in the great outdoors either on the Breede River or on the Wild Caost. He learnt to embrace the land and all that it has to offer without taking from it anything that nature can't replenish. Bonello believes that the beauty of travel and cooking can be found for fresh produce, making new friends and discovering foods you didn't even know existed. Once you learned the basics and started growing your own produce, there's no reason not to produce awsome meals - all it takes is a little courage and a pinch of creativity.

Book Reviews

2009-11-17T03:08:00.000-08:00

Penguin Books

Cooked in Africa is a unique compilation of places, spaces and flavours and combines Justin Bonello's three favourite things: Southern Africa, food and friends. - The perfect "Proudly South African" gift, for culinary lovers, this festive season

Se7en

Oh this book is totally brilliant!!!

Officially it is a book about cooking in South Africa. Actually it is an "Off the Beaten Track" travel book of Southern Africa packed with photographs and stacked with indoor and outdoor recipes all the way through it. this book embraces the spirit of Africa and if you are looking for a wonderful South African souvenir then you have just found it.

In fact it is like the Dangerous book for Boys (And Girls):South African style - not just recipes but a whole lot of other things we want to try along - not least is the pizza in a dirt bin - now you know how we love pizza and I think this could be a permanent garden feature ( we even have the metal bin, though where would you put the garbage?) He also has a "How to make a "Worm Farm " I know this would supplement our Key Hole Garden - if i could just overcome the eeewww factor! Souvenir

The recipes are fabulous South African fare: Seafood like, West Coast Paella and mussels, traditional food like Bobotie abd Blatjang. - Yummy "made on the fire" - breads... Breakfasts to die for, lunches, suppers... indoors and outdoors. All made with great style - relaxed, easy to follow and actually do without being a trained chef!!!

Naturally we needed to try a recipe as soon aas we got it! I am dying to try his tin cup breakfast but we needed something to dash on our braai on Saturday and Roosterkoek braai-bread it was.

Im so glad he signed our book, because it is totally fabulous, a treasure. We love it!!!

A Cooked Book

2009-11-16T01:11:00.000-08:00

Our much anticipated Cooked Book was launched at the end of October and the response has been incredible. It's available at all good book stores and online- so keep an eye out for it. This book is a compilation of Justin's favourite recipes, destinations visisted and the people he shared them with over the 3 seasons of Cooked.

Justin says, keenly, " It's a celebration of a South African way of life".

We think it will make the ideal gift for any fan of Southern Africa so if you are buying it for yourself or even someone else, this book gives you the best reason to open your present a few days early, to source the ingredients for the Seafood Paella recipe - the perfect alternative to the hum drum Christmas fair usually on offer. Two weeks ago at Exclusive Books A Cooked Book was at no. 21 on their top sales list and by last week it had catipulted upto no 8, there's no telling where we'll end up this week...

What's New @ Cooked!

2009-05-02T10:51:00.000-07:00

Cooked Grows a new arm

2009 is the year for taking on new challenges for Cooked in Africa. A company that has successfully produced thought provoking entertainment for TV is now branching out into the world of commercials. At the company’s core it bases itself on its ability to transform fresh ideas and through their approach and work ethic create a final product that always proudly shouts Cooked in Africa Films.

What better to pair with your food than our wine?

Exploring the Vine is the newest series to join the cooked in Africa stables. Currently in production it follows the daily lives of three young winemakers, James Corder, Howard Booysen and Stuart Botha from vine to wine as they attempt to make a name for themselves in the ultra-competitive South African wine industry. Their aim is to prove why South Africa has found the perfect balance by combining all the finesse of the old world with barrels of new world audacity, resulting in a product across the board, the three believes to be the best in the world.

Untold secrets of Southern Africa

Getaway to Africa 2 is the second leg of the 5-part exploration of the African continent. The episode themes for this season have been selected and intrepid explorer Justin Bonello is itching to get back out into Africa, his aim this time will be to travel less and spend more time doing what he’s best at, story telling. This season will follow Justin as he discovers the vast unexplored territories, their people and the diminishing wildlife in his mother country as well as the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and the immense desert sea of Namib, in Namibia.

A Cooked book

We are extremely proud of our cooking/travel book, titled Cooked in Africa, which after three years of preparation will finally be out later in the year. This has been a team effort from day one, mingling beautiful photography and striking African design with crazy and insightful tales form Justin’s favourite Southern African destinations and the dishes he created for both new and old friends along the way.

Africa: the origin of Rock, Blues and Ramba

Africa Rocks is a 13 part series presented by Danny Kodesh, Cooked in Africa camera man, editor and long time friend. Danny has grown-up on the likes of Jimmi Hendrix and Eric Clapton, so he can tinkle a tune or two. But what he lacks in technical dexterity and musicianship, he makes up for with his passion for his two loves, music and Africa.
Together we follow him to mega concerts and remote and distant villages; by joining in the festivities together we will learn about the continent’s religious rites and celebrations through the Universal language of music.

Cooked enters VUKA! for the first time

This year, Cooked is for the first time proudly entering MNET’s Vuka! Awards, a socially responsible award show celebrating the creative talent of the South African film and media industry. Together with Dreamfields, a non-profit organization dedicated to growing the dreams of South Africa’s next soccer stars. Cooked produced and funded a heart-warming thirty second TV ad. Shot out in Nyanga, with the help of a team of future soccer heroes, the A-Stars, and their ‘coach’ Bongani Ndyalvane, the ad really does highlight the Dreamfields philosophy “We Grow Dreams”. Cooked in Africa Films would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in making this project become a reality. Special thanks to John Perlman for organising the dream team’s kit at ridiculously short notice.