NEDERBURG has teamed up with queen of Afrofusion cuisine, Chef Nti, who’s dreamed up some exciting new flavour-popping kasi recipes to mark the 50th anniversary of the winery’s much-loved red blend, Baronne.
The perennially popular Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz blend, launched in 1973, remains a great Mzansi favourite. Based on annual domestic volumes sold, the equivalent of a bottle of Baronne is opened somewhere in the country every 15 seconds.
Chef Nti, or to call her by her full name, Nthabiseng Ramaboa, has been inspired by the wine’s succulent, smooth spiciness, and mouth-filling palate to develop a suite of new-generation, street-style dishes. The high-profile fashionista and food influencer is widely followed for her imaginative foodie TV and social media content that recasts traditional township favourites with innovative flair. She’s the host of Street Food in Africa, airing in more than 140 countries on the Food Network channel, sharing South African flavours and culinary culture with the world. Not surprising then, that diners queue up to attend her bespoke dinners at her award-winning Taste Kitchen venue in Jozi.
Now she’s turning to ditlwadi, lerotse, morogo and other indigenous heritage ingredients, encouraging us to honour our culinary past with fresh and original takes on old favourites. But, always mindful that the dishes and techniques should be fun and accessible, she’s identified substitutes for cooks who can’t yet find the originals.
Nederburg hopes that will soon change, though. It is participating in a multi-party project to protect and preserve indigenous vegetables, fruits, pulses and grains. The winery is working with the South African Chefs’ Association and two NGOs – Harvesting Heritage and SocioTech BBL – to support small-scale farmers in cultivating these ingredients and bringing them to market for professional and home cooks.
To find Chef Nti’s recipes paired with Baronne and other Nederburg wines, click here.