Francois Ferreira


The first thing that comes to mind about one of South Africa's most loved celebrity chefs is his passion for life.Francois Ferreira


The first thing that comes to mind about one of South Africa's most loved celebrity chefs is his passion for life.

This love encompasses food, wine - and writing. Ferreira's latest book, Home Cooking / Kuierkos, released in 2005, is an award winner.

It is this love of home cooking that made for his involvement in the Business Against Crime Western Cape book 'From the Hearth (at home with South African icons)'.

Says Ferreira, "We invited some of our country's icons - in business, the arts and media, politics and so on - to contribute their favourite home recipes for this book.

"Probably the best part of the process for me was to have tested each and every recipe and ready them for the gorgeous photographs."

Created to look into the hearts, memories - and kitchens - of our most loved South African icons, the book features gorgeous food photographs, an interesting 'take' on each icon, as well as recipes.

Ferreira is also fulfilling another dream - to teach - and presently is the principal of The Eden School of Culinary Art in George.

Ferreira is also the Bailli of the Baillage D'Outeniqua, a branch of the international Chaine des Rotisseurs, and also the vice chairperson of SACA in the Garden Route.

In Ferreira's own words, "I love food. I love it so much I have made it my life.

"Not just food, mind you; wine, art - and theatre as well."

It is therefore no wonder that Francois is known as the 'performing chef' (he also does food cabaret).

"I am also known as the food evangelist because I have made it my mission to teach people about the wonders of South African food."

Ferreira's new cookbook is due for release in 2008.