Entertainment

“During Hard Times People Seek Out An Escape” Celebrated SA Chef Siba Mtongana Speaks On Her New Eatery

February 11, 2021 : By Gillian Thabisa

Celebrity chef Siba Mtongana put South Africa on the culinary world map. Enticing both local and international viewers, her TV show Siba’s Table broadcasts on Food Network in more than 130 countries around the world.

Her cookbook, Welcome to My Table, is a bestseller. She recently launched another recipe book targeted at kids. She’s mom to four young children. Mtongana recently opened Siba The Restaurant, a pop-up collaboration with Sun International Table Bay hotel at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

In a recent interview with Times Live publication, Siba said that opening a restaurant has been in the making for at least four years, and 2020 was always earmarked for its launch. She went ahead because there are some dreams that are worthy of being pursued, especially when the right opportunity presents itself.

Celeb chef Siba Mtongana's beautiful take on a beetroot salad.

The chef views food as a way to escape during dark times people seek out an escape and her restaurant offers an experiential food journey in one of the best locations in Cape Town, overlooking the most gorgeous views of the harbour and Table Mountain.

The restaurant has been described as elegant and classic with contemporary elements to make it warm, intimate and welcoming. Siba says that the idea was that it must feel like an extension of her dining area at home, not only from a decor perspective but also the warm reception from staff and, of course, enjoying fine dining Sibalicious-style.

The restaurant allows the public an opportunity to enjoy the food they’ve been recreating in their homes over a decade through her cooking shows, cookbook and social media.

She describes the style of food served in the restaurant as a reflection of her roots and a celebration of her South African heritage.

The tasting menu welcomes guests with piping hot, freshly baked mini dombolo buns served with a selection of flavoured butters, and my seared beef carpaccio served with chakalaka cream and citrus dressing is a hit. There’s my creamy wild mushroom samp risotto served with a confit of Asian duck leg, where the old samp staple “goes to private school”.

Confit of Asian duck leg with wild mushroom samp risotto - or as celeb chef Siba Mtongana quips 'samp that's gone to private school'.

Vegetarian and vegan tasting menus are also available and should you opt for something more casual, there’s a tapas menu. On Sundays, we serve a South Africa-inspired seven-colors lunch family-style.

Siba says that her current focus is on my restaurant and growing it. Siba fans will be glad to know that she will be back on screen this year with more “Sibalicious” recipes to share , and she also has a number of exciting projects that I will share as they unfold.

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