SCREEN AFRICA EXCLUSIVE: On Wednesday 4 September celebrity chef Siba Mtongana launched her first television series on Food Network, Siba’s Table, at Buitengeluk in Fourways, Johannesburg.
Each episode of the series recreates a chapter of Siba’s life in Cape Town as she is inspired to create mouth-watering food by her childhood, draws on her experiences as a food editor and is motivated by local artisan producers and South Africa’s cutting edge restaurant scene.
Mentions Siba: “It has been a long journey. I’ve had a wonderful experience with Food Network and am very blessed. Despite all the bad publicity about Africa, there is so much positivity on our continent and I hope to change perceptions with the show.
“I want to be known as the queen of convenience. My food has to be simple enough so that people are confident to make it using accessible ingredients.’
Says Sue Walton, vice president of commissioning and original content at Scripps EMEA: “Siba’s warmth, charisma, style and passion for food impressed me. She is truly authentic and her dishes are simple to make yet sophisticated. Cape Town is at the heart of Siba’s Table, which is all about love, family and friends enjoying her homemade meals.’
Nick Thorogood, senior vice president of content and marketing at Scripps EMEA adds: “Siba’s Table is the perfect union of ideas, tips and inventive inspiration. Her show gives her traditional childhood recipes a completely modern twist and an injection of international flavour.’
Walton remarks: “She is a hugely charismatic talent and I have no doubt that Siba’s Table will engage audiences with her contemporary dishes inspired by South Africa and beyond.’
Ten episodes of 30 minutes each will be broadcast in more than 90 countries throughout Africa, Europe, Middle East and the United Kingdom.
Siba’s Table airs from 23 September weekdays at 13h05 and 18h05 with a double bill on Mondays at 21h00 on Food Network, the 24/7 food entertainment channel on DStv Channel 175.
By Martie Bester
