Go on a culinary journey with Siba

Siba Mtongana is back on our screens, first with a bit of a preview with Siba's Table Fast Feasts, before season two starts on Food Network.

Siba Mtongana is back on our screens, first with a bit of a preview with Siba's Table Fast Feasts, before season two starts on Food Network.

Published Feb 5, 2015

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World flavours but with an African injection – that’s what Food Network’s Siba Mtongana will be plating.

SOUTH African chefs are leaving their mark on an international platform. And Food Network continues to build on the popularity of the Jenny Morris and Siba Mtongana brands.

And right now, it’s all about Siba’s Table Fast Feasts, a five-episode preview to her second season.

Having given birth to a boy just three months ago, Mtongana was the epitome of ravishing at her show’s launch this week.

She says: “For the first season, I got 10 episodes. And then it was bumped up to 15. But because I was pregnant when we signed the contract, we were supposed to film before I started showing. But there was a delay.”

That explains the genesis of Siba’s Table Fast Feasts, where you get to see Mtongana’s baby bump, too.

She laughs: “You know how critical you are when you’re pregnant. Brian (her husband) would say: ‘Don’t be so hard on yourself, baby. Eat what you want, you can deal with weight loss after’. So this series is a sort of mini-version of the real season, which we are going to be filming now.”

What can viewers expect?

“I take viewers through the journey of the places that I love. So that is Asian-inspired food. I was in Dubai last year and also did the Taste of Abu Dhabi. So there’s a bit of that influence, too. We eat out a lot. I have travelled a bit… I get inspired by what I see. I take it back and make it mine,” she shares.

“Just the other day, I had sushi. And I thought about sushi rice with black sesame seeds, served with a fillet in an Asian marinade. When I picture food, it is about visuals because of my styling background.”

While the first season borrowed from recipes she had already conceived, for the new shows she came up with a new menu.

Of the tone, she points out: “It is still Siba with world flavours, but with an African injection, which is what I always want to do with my food. It’s also about shortcuts – fast, cheat tricks. And I keep saying: ‘There is no shame’. I bought a red velvet cake. Cut the middle part, topped it with whipped cream and berries. Cut the bottom the same. The cream stayed with flavours. It’s sweet and light. You can put your own injection into it – people won’t know it’s store bought.”

A lot of the dishes will appeal to those rushed off their feet. It’s quick, wholesome and, the key word, easy.

Such is her popularity since the show that her favourite haunts like The Old Biscuit Mill, because she loves fresh food markets, are now populated by fans hoping to meet her.

“I also have a strong following in the Muslim community. Even though I cook gammon and pork on the show, they still like the recipes because they adapt it. With my recipes, people are free to adapt it any way they want.”

Another new element is that Cape Town becomes a bigger character in the show.

“We will be showcasing food spots in Cape Town. Spotting trends, visiting my favourite restaurants. So it’s quite a different flavour.”

With the Banting and Paleo diets trending, Tonight asked if she is also health conscious.

“I am, but I won’t starve. If there’s a desert I want, I will have it, but not eat the entire thing. I believe in moderation. It’s so hard to give advice on health these days because it is all relative. When I studied, it was bad to have butter and full fat. Now it’s considered healthy in some diets. There are so many variations. I believe people have the right to choose what they want.”

Interestingly, she also has a book in the pipeline: “We are working on my first book. It was something I always wanted to do. But just never had the time or the right opportunity. I can’t disclose any details yet though.”

In the meantime, she is enjoying cooking up a Sibalicious feast.

• Siba’s Table Fast Feasts starts March 12 on Food Network at 8pm.

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