Today, we’ve got the amazing Liziwe Matloha, She’s a freelance food writer, a host of cookery classes and a TV chef. We’re thrilled to have her with us.
AFN Tell us about yourself!
Chef
Liziwe My name is Liziwe Matloha, I was born and raised in Potchefstroom in the North West and, moved to Gauteng for Greener pastures.
I am a mom to the most beautiful kids and a wife to my lovely husband.
I am a 3 times diploma graduate. Graduated in Human Resources, Media Studies at Boston Media House and later graduated in culinary arts.
Professionally I work as a freelance food writer, and a host of cookery Classes, I also work as a TV Chef and run a small bespoke kitchen here in Boksburg where we host small intimate group dinners.
AFN Why do you cook?
Chef
Liziwe I
am just passionate about food and cooking and I love to eat, food that is not only tasty but also nourishing to my mind, body and soul.
Food that is prepared with lots of love and care with just simple flavours.
Cooking is therapeutic to me, I find peace in it, and it is my love language. I find such fulfilment when cooking for people, especially people that I love, just seeing the expression of joy, fun and laughter that my food brings to their faces truly gives me such satisfaction.
AFN What is your favorite memory in the kitchen?
Chef
Liziwe Cooking with my family is
the
highlight for me.
B
eing
with my kids
always
brings me
so much
joy,
it’s
sentimental, and
warms
the
heart
but
being in the Kitchen
creating lasting memories with my kids doing what
I
love and sharing those moments with them
is
just one of those
top
-
tier
experiences I will
forever
cherish.
You want to make me happy, get me in the Kitchen with my kids.
AFN What is your biggest cooking fail?
Chef
Liziwe
I wouldn't say fail because I don’t remember accepting defeat in the Kitchen let alone in life. Of course, I’d have some sort of setbacks here and there but I always work on it. Sometimes recipes just don’t work or come out the way one expects them to but you always have got to go back and deal.
But If I were forced to pick one of my Cooking challenges it would have to be my husband's traditional pap dish ya sepedi, Boswa (a popular pap dish) I can't seem to get the textured right, sometimes it works it doesn't.
I just have to keep practising.
As a recipe developer you work on recipes all the time and sometimes they just don't work, but we always go back to find a way, redo it all or improvise. Such as life isn’t?
AFN What kitchen equipment do you use more and can’t do without?
Chef
Liziwe
I have quite a few in mind, I really appreciate a functional Kitchen.
What I use more often in my kitchen is a chopping board and knives as I need those almost with every meal prep.
The oven is a must, I love roasted dishes, be it vegetables or meat and my family loves baked goodies.
I also love a good handheld electric mixer it made life so much easier in the Kitchen especially the cleaning up.
A good quality microplane for easy zesting and mincing those garlic cloves.
An electric food scale is a big must.
AFN What are your favorite foods to cook and why?
Chef
Liziwe I enjoy baking not only because my family loves baked goodies, but I also love to gift these to family and friends mostly I love baking for my mum, she enjoys her afternoons with a good cup of tea and some delicious biscuits or scones.
I very much enjoy cooking for my husband, He enjoys my food plus he is an honest but polite critic. He makes me a better person. I just enjoy cooking family-style meals with authentic recipes, food that we want at home, food that is shared, served over platters and enjoyed by loved ones.
AFN What would you like to share with our audience?
Chef Liziwe Nothing much but sending lots and lots of love and appreciation their way, for always showing love and support. We appreciate that so much, Thank you all.
AFN How can your fans reach you on social media?
You can stay connected with me on Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook where share authentic recipes that will thrill you.
Love seeing Liziwe get this recognition. Her focus on traditional South African comfort food reminds me so much of how central long-simmered stews are back in Addis. Wish it was easier to find some of the specific braai spice blends she uses over here in Seattle, I end up having to mix my own versions down at the Rainier Valley spice shop.
Watched her host that cookery demo on DSTV last year making proper mogodu and chakalaka, her energy is no be small thing. Glad to see her getting featured o. Need to check if her book Liziwe's Kitchen ships down to Lagos because that Seven Colours Sunday spread she always talks about looks heavy.