Capetonians are spoilt for choice when it comes to good eateries and restaurants.
From relaxed cafés to fine dining, the Mother City is home to some of the best places to eat and drink. Almost every other month there is a new eatery entering the market in the trendy streets of Bree, Kloof and Long, which also have the coolest spots to shop.
A photo posted by SMAK Delicatessen & Restaurant (@smakdeli) on Jun 20, 2016 at 10:01pm PDT
The latest addition on Lower Bree Street is delicatessen and restaurant SMAK, which offers breakfast and lunch. Owned by young entrepreneurs Devin Hogan and Katia Scherf, the restaurant offers an array of food which includes gourmet sandwiches and homemade patisserie.
Twenty-three-year-old Hogan is one of 14 “cheftestants” on SABC 3’s reality show Top Chef SA. The show is the local version of American reality competition television series Top Chef and currently airs every Tuesday at 8pm.
READ: Three Ships Whisky launches limited edition 10-Year-Old Single Malt
The Joburg-born Hogan says: “I have always known that I wanted to cook from a young age. “My grandmother was always baking and my mother was always in the kitchen preparing a meal and I would be in the kitchen with them doing my homework. “I always found enjoyment around food... it represents a happy time for me. I fell in love with it (food) then and as I grew older I was given responsibilities at home.
A photo posted by Dale Herbst (@daleherbst) on Aug 18, 2016 at 11:09pm PDT
“Over the weekend I would cook easy meals such as roast chicken and veggies, chicken à la King or beef stroganoff,” Hogan says. “I used to enjoy baking as well. At school when I had to give a speech or public speaking which I wasn’t very good at, I would take a rainbow cake with me... which had nothing to do with what I had to do but it got me extra marks!”
After his studies at Prue Leith Chefs Academy in Centurion, Pretoria, Hogan worked at the award-winning restaurant, The Test Kitchen and The Pot Luck Club in Woodstock and at both as an intern and after finishing studies. The hands-on experience taught him all the ins and outs of being a great chef. “I kind of knew that I wanted to come to The Taste Kitchen to work and to do my internship.
A photo posted by Jade Robertson (@justjadeblog) on Mar 10, 2016 at 9:11am PST
“It was amazing to be able to work for such a good restaurant, which is one of the best in South Africa. “It was outstanding, the ingredients that I got to work with... “I think that I learnt more there than at school. “The experience kicked-off my culinary career,”he says.
READ: Café Royale launches new artisanal cocktail and tapas menu
After travelling and working overseas in the UK learning everything about fine dining, Hogan came back home to open SMAK with Scherf, with whom he had worked at The Taste Kitchen. The catchy name ‘“SMAK” is Scandinavian for “flavour or to taste”. Hogan believes that he has something fresh and unique to offer in the culinary industry.
A photo posted by 4Elements Media (@4elementsmedia) on Apr 20, 2016 at 7:21am PDT
“Top Chef is something that I always wanted to do... to be involved in the TV style of cooking. I would like to think that I have something fresh to offer for TV and to make cooking in South Africa more fun. “I jumped at the opportunity and it’s an awesome opportunity to be part of,” he adds.