The Coolest Mother City Panoramic Photos from SA-New York Chef

Capetonian Bruce Marais left South Africa in 2009 to pursue a career as a (self taught) chef. Since then he’s worked in chateaux in France, villas in Spain, super yachts in the Med and settled in New York two years ago…but wherever he roams, he always returns home in the festive season for his annual SA fix… The […]

Capetonian Bruce Marais left South Africa in 2009 to pursue a career as a (self taught) chef. Since then he’s worked in chateaux in France, villas in Spain, super yachts in the Med and settled in New York two years ago…but wherever he roams, he always returns home in the festive season for his annual SA fix…

The photos on this page are from his latest trip.

Fortunately Bruce married a Moroccan-American guy, Samir, who also loves Cape Town “so there’s no end to our annual South African stints any time soon.”

In fact their wedding was in Suikerbossie, Hout Bay.

Samir is particularly fond of Cape Town’s art and the couple usually find themselves headed back to New York with three suitcases filled with South African “goodies”, and a fourth for their clothing!

Bruce, who’s originally from Durbanville, is now a private chef in New York and hopes to open a one-of-a-kind cupcake shop when the time is right “but I’m very secretive about the concept still”.

Mellisa's in Kloof Street

So what do you miss most about SA?

I miss many things about SA: the people first and foremost for their outgoing personalities, beauty, creativity and blatant honesty. The great outdoors: its outrageously beautiful landscapes. The food: Cape Town is turning into a culinary Mecca and a destination for foodies.

And what makes you proud to be South African?

I’m particularly proud of the quality of South African produce: it’s creative, well packaged and great value for money. I’m also very proud of how integrated South African society has become. The people of South Africa, it’s rich and diverse cultures and unique ways are something to be truly proud of.

Have you visited Madiba Restaurant in New York?

I have indeed visited Madibas in Brooklyn and am excited for the new Madibas to open in Manhattan. I’ve visited a South African supermarket, Jonty Jacobs, a few blocks away but was shocked to find a box of Freshpack Rooibos there was $30 when its R19.95 back home!? I went to a South African restaurant, Braai, where none of the staff or owners were South African. Maybe it’s something I should look into: bringing Bobotie to New York on a big scale! For now, I happily serve South African food to my private clients. My Christmas and Thanksgiving menu included Bobotie cooked in a pumpkin…

pumpkin-bobotie