Journal Entry: Ubuntu Food - Discovering Something New

A Personal Perspective

The decision to move away from the security and confines of the corporate world was driven by an innate desire to explore what I am most passionate about and push the boundaries of my own creative capabilities as a Chef. Ubuntu Food started as a personal project, a vehicle that allowed me to explore my love for dinner parties, meeting new people and experimenting with outdoor cooking.

In our modern society it is so easy to become consumed by what you see on social media. At times over the past year I myself became hooked on exploring the concept of Ubuntu Food on Instagram, scrolling through endless pages of photos and videos in search of inspiration. But truthfully | have found that there is no greater source of inspiration and learning than actually experiencing things first hand.

People often ask me to explain to them what Ubuntu Food is going to become. But really that is a question that right now I can’t answer definitively. This is a new chapter of my story that has no ending.

It Started With A Dinner Party

Growing up in a family of six, my parents started to host their friends at the weekend to save the cost of a baby sitter. We would joke that my Mom had four children to build a team of mini waiters to help with the Dinner Parties (which often escalated to more than ten people).
I remember the excitement that would build walking through the corridor of our Old Vicarage taking in the smell of oxtail that had been cooking for the entire day. I would linger in the kitchen fascinated by the hype of activity, longing for the moment that my mom would spoon out a taster from the pot into my mouth. I spent years by Mom and Dads side, fascinated by the passion and attention that they poured into their food, and lived for the moment that I got to take the plates through to the dinner table and relish peoples reaction. Even after being sent to bed; I would sneak out, sit at the top of the stairs outside the dining room and just listen to the incoherent babble and laughter that would erupt from the dining table.

Unlocking The Magic

My love for hosting dinner parties, and being a part of the magic that would unfold around the table, was born out of those sacred moments. In our family home I learnt that whilst food may be the centre piece of the evening, the atmosphere, the people, the entertainment, the wine; were all critical contributing factors. As a family we have always spent hours around the table eating, sharing stories, singing, getting to know one another…

Since moving away from home, I have always placed great significance on finding a home with a space big enough to fit our dining table - the perfect shrine to the treasured moments of my past.

Discovering Something New

Inspired by the concept of ‘Ubuntu’, I find myself curiously exploring who I am as a subsequence of the people and culture that surrounds me.
It is in the stories of my past that I am discovering the foundations of who I am; and it is in the stories of others that I am discovering the possibility of something new. Come January 2019 I will be spending three months in the Motherland (South Africa). The purpose of this trip is to immerse myself and explore the food culture that currently exists in South Africa. I want to meet new people, sit at their table, hear their stories and eat their food. The creation of new knowledge through experience will unfold and inspire the path of Ubuntu Food. This change in direction looks to put me out of my comfort zone and push the boundaries of what I understand to be true. I am excited to be able to share this journey with you and hope that Table Talk becomes a platform for the intimate stories, lessons and experiences shared with others.

All photos were taken by Imke Potgieter

Cannon 50mm film