For me, this blog's content hits close to home. The month of September is Heritage Month in South Africa, the country of my birth. And as a member of the African diaspora, I express my African-ness through cookery. Join me as I take you on a journey of the significance of cuisine in Africa's tourism landscape.
"People who love to eat are always the best people," – Julia Child
Africa's Tradition and Tinder Spark Interest
Connecting with others through feasting is an age-old tradition that cultivates a sense of identity and belonging. Hospitality Daily's fascinating article, "The History of Hospitality", tells us that ancient Greece referred to this concept as "Xenia" or "guest-friendship". In Rome, hosts welcomed their guests by laying on a community feast called "convivium".
Africa is a well-stocked cornucopia of cuisine-oriented customs, and Africans worldwide echo these concepts despite being geographically distant from Europe and, culturally speaking, worlds apart. Visitors flock to Africa to experience the exciting food and drink scene rooted in the heart of hospitality: good old comfort food, the universal language of belonging and connection.
Food has a way of connecting us, Image Credit: Singita
Braai Culture: A Story of Fire and Food
Raised in South Africa, I enjoyed an outdoorsy lifestyle. Happiest in nature, our family enjoyed open-air dining as often as possible. Ask anyone who has been to South Africa, and they'll testify that the fresh produce is in a class of its own. Spoilt for choice, we have cooked up many ways to enjoy it – preferably outdoors!
The flame-grilled cookery style known by the Afrikaans word for barbeque –braai – can be described as a way of life. From relaxed weekend backyard get-togethers with family and friends to more formal catered milestone events, it's the culinary equivalent of the LBD (little black dress) as a way to celebrate: versatile, functional and classic.
White-hot coals, a clean grid, a willing braai master, and delicious ingredients all make an excellent braai experience. The secret sauce? Fantastic company, of course! A lightly seasoned lamb chop or sosatie (skewer of marinated tender lamb cubes with a hint of history with a Cape Malay spice marinade, onion and dried apricots flame-grilled over perfect coles) hit the spot. Served with starch sides like potato salad, potato bake or garlic bread toasted on the fire complemented by a selection of vibrant salads delight. Your choice of beverages completes National Braai Day merrymaking.
Sharing safari stories around a campfire is the perfect way to bring people together, Image Credit: Royal Zambezi Lodge
Expressive African Cooking Styles
Potjiekos is a "thing"; cooking over an open fire in a cast-iron pot by layering ingredients and slow-cooking over hours. There's every kind of potjie imaginable, but only one rule: never stir your pot.
A spit braai is a feast enjoyed by larger gatherings and usually features lamb or pork as the meat of choice. An all-day-all-night affair, this slow-cooking method is designed to bring people together.
Potjiekos is food for the soul
Of Fire, Family, Friends and Feasts
If you're after a catered braai, Vuur Restaurant on the Remhoogte Wine Estate in Stellenbosch celebrates locally sourced produce and braai master mettle.
Vuur Goose Island catches the fiery South African spirit perfectly. Offering a shared dining experience for no more than 16 diners, expect a laid-back affair with layers of storytelling, delicious nosh and palate-pleasing wines on the Boustred family wine estate. Aside from your party, your fellow diners' identity is a potluck, which adds a secret spice and spontaneity to elevate the experience.
The fire adds the irresistible "lekker" flavour, Image Credit: VUUR
Safari Tourism: Connecting Cultures Through Cuisine
Cookery is a powerful form of storytelling, and some of the best recipes (read: stories) are not written down but passed down from generation to generation.
In Africa, culinary tradition reflects the provenance of locally available produce on land, sea, and lakes. Over centuries, Africa's excellent quality produce and mineral wealth have attracted traders, merchants and travellers, making Africa an exciting, vibrant food and drink destination.
Today, tourism plays a vital part in sharing Africa's unique culture. These hotels and safari lodges have successfully imbued cultural exchange into their guest experiences through cuisine.
Where to Go for a Pan-Africa Culinary Journey
- Angama Mara (Kenya) – Their culinary experiences revolve around fresh, local ingredients and feature traditional Kenyan dishes on their menu, which change daily.
- Singita (Southern and East Africa) – A top-shelf luxury safari brand, Singita epitomises style and grace. Their preservation of Africa's wilderness extends to the communities, as evidenced by their Singita Community Cooking School.
- &Beyond (Across Africa) – Their lodges emphasise provincial culinary traditions, from sourcing local ingredients to region-specific dishes and empowering staff through hospitality.
- Bushmans Kloof (South Africa) – Guests enjoy dishes rooted in Cape heritage, resonant with the region's legacy through unique flavours and traditional cooking methods. Extraordinary nature-based locales serve as alfresco dining rooms for next-level gastronomy.
- Baraza Resort & Spa Zanzibar (Zanzibar) – Relax and unwind while learning to cook a traditional meal at this family-run boutique hotel on the powder-soft white sands of Bwejuu-Paje beach.
A dinner table tells a thousand words, Image Credit: Bushmans Kloof
Home Cooking for Cultural Exchange
Immersive food experiences such as farm-to-table dining, cooking classes, and storytelling allow travellers to engage deeply with the local culture. Recreating dishes will enable you to preserve memories, share cultural stories, and relive travel experiences. Taste and smell are potent senses and, in an instant, can transport you by memory to a place in time.
Not all humans crave a second helping, yet we all yearn for belonging. Food and drink, like a smile, transcends language barriers, igniting curiosity and connection. Next time you travel, deepen your connection to the destination and the people you met by recreating dishes you've tasted abroad.
Get Your Own Taste of Africa
Come and feast away on the African continent. Rhino Africa's Travel Experts will curate the perfect menu of experiences.
