A Table in the Corner

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A Table in the Corner

Russel Wasserfall Media

162 episodes

2 days ago

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, Russel sits down with Matt van den Berg, head chef at Mertia in Stellenbosch and one of the most quietly respected chefs in the Western Cape. Matt reflects on his unconventional path into cooking, from a BCom degree and life on yachts to training at Silwood and working in some of South Africa’s most demanding kitchens, including The Test Kitchen and La Colombe. He speaks candidly about discipline, long hours, kitchen culture, and the pressure of stepp...

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Places & Travel,

Society & Culture

All content for A Table in the Corner is the property of Russel Wasserfall Media and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, Russel sits down with Matt van den Berg, head chef at Mertia in Stellenbosch and one of the most quietly respected chefs in the Western Cape. Matt reflects on his unconventional path into cooking, from a BCom degree and life on yachts to training at Silwood and working in some of South Africa’s most demanding kitchens, including The Test Kitchen and La Colombe. He speaks candidly about discipline, long hours, kitchen culture, and the pressure of stepp...

Show more...

Places & Travel,

Society & Culture

Episodes (20/162)

A Table in the Corner

S2-10. Mertia - Matt van den Berg

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, Russel sits down with Matt van den Berg, head chef at Mertia in Stellenbosch and one of the most quietly respected chefs in the Western Cape. Matt reflects on his unconventional path into cooking, from a BCom degree and life on yachts to training at Silwood and working in some of South Africa’s most demanding kitchens, including The Test Kitchen and La Colombe. He speaks candidly about discipline, long hours, kitchen culture, and the pressure of stepp...

2 days ago

28 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-09. Melting Pot - John van Zyl

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, I sat down with John van Zyl, chef and co owner of Melting Pot, one of Cape Town’s most talked about contemporary restaurants. John reflects on his unconventional journey into food, from music and travel to working closely with Liam Tomlin, and how those years shaped his disciplined, process-driven approach to cooking. The conversation traces the evolution of Melting Pot from pop up dinners to permanent restaurants, exploring the freedom and pressure ...

1 week ago

35 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-08. Melfort - Tasmin Reed

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, Russel sits down with Tasmin Reid, the young, fiercely thoughtful chef behind Melfort, a seasonal farm to fork restaurant on Marianne Estate near Stellenbosch. Tasmin shares her journey from Silwood Kitchen to working with Ryan Cole at Salsify, her plans for Australia, and how an unexpected autoimmune diagnosis reshaped both her life and her style of cooking. Now the owner of a popular winelands restaurant, she speaks openly about healing through food...

2 weeks ago

34 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-07. TTK Fledgelings - Nathan Clarke

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, Russel sits down with Chef Nathan Clark, head chef of Test Kitchen Fledgelings. Apologies in advance - the sound quality is not the best, as I had a few technical challenges, but Nathan's story is incredible. He shares his remarkable journey from scullery to running the kitchen, rising through the ranks of the Test Kitchen group over 13 years. He speaks openly about learning under Luke Dale Roberts and Jason Kosmas, mentoring young chefs through...

3 weeks ago

25 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-06. Emotions of the Sun - Seth Shezi

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, we step into the golden world of Veuve Clicquot’s Emotions of the Sun, the global photographic exhibition created with the legendary Magnum Photos agency, now shining in Cape Town at Youngblood Gallery on Bree Street. My guest is Seth Shezi, Celebrity MasterChef winner, global traveller and lifestyle tastemaker, who curated the Sun on Your Plate Café for the exhibition. Inspired by light, optimism and the emotional power of the sun, Seth created a Cap...

3 weeks ago

28 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-05. Galjoen - Anouchka Horn

Join me at my table in the corner for this incredible conversation with chef Anouchka Horn, co-owner of Cape Town’s acclaimed restaurants Belly of the Beast and Galjoen. In this episode, Anouchka shares her journey from her grandmother’s traditional Afrikaans kitchen to becoming a leading voice in ingredient-driven, low-waste South African dining. We talk about her early culinary influences, training at the ICA, formative years working under Michael Broughton, and the creation of two of Cape ...

1 month ago

34 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-04. Post & Pepper - Jess van Dyk

Join us at A Table in the Corner as we chat with Chef Jess Van Dyk, the creative force behind Post & Pepper in Stellenbosch. From growing up in a small town with a love of food, to training at top kitchens, and now running her own restaurant, Jess shares her journey in the culinary world. Discover the stories behind signature dishes like pork lollipops, her approach to shared plates, and how she keeps creativity and sustainability at the heart of her kitchen. Find out where Jess eats off...

1 month ago

34 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-03. EDGE @ Vue Shortmarket - Vusi Ndlovu

The best meal I've eaten in Cape Town recently whas hands-down the one I enjoyed with my wife at Vue Shortmarket. With Vusi Ndlovu in the kitchen and Absie Pantshwa out front, this is the exceptional product of a pair of fascinating minds who take diners on a journey into African ingredients and cooking techniques with a refinement and playfulness that is delightful. Chatting with Vusi is always hilarious. I doubt that I've laughed as much with any other guest. For more on Vue Shortmarket, cl...

1 month ago

37 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-02. Belly of the Beast - Neil Swart

Until very recently, Belly of the Beast was my favourite restaurant I'd never eaten in. That sad situation has been remedied and lunch at this Harrington Street legend was everything I'd imagined. I sat down for Episode 02 of the second season of A Table in the Corner to chat to Neil Swart who created Belly with chef and co-owner Anouchka Horn. I'll chat to Anouchka in an upcoming show about the duo's second venue, Galjoen. For more on Belly of the Beast, click here Message me here with comme...

1 month ago

33 minutes

A Table in the Corner

S2-01. De Eetkamer - Marco Cardoso

In Season 02 of A Table in the Corner, we talk to the chefs we love about the restaurants or the menus they create. In the first episode of the new season Chef Marco Cardoso of De Eetkamer in Stellenbosch has to stare unblinking into the spotlight as I grill him with a bunch of questions about his background as a chef, his vision for De Eetkamer and his favourite comfort food. Message me here with comments or guest suggestions. Treat yourself - order direct from Zuney Wagyu Get a fair price w...

1 month ago

24 minutes

A Table in the Corner

See you in Season 2.

That's it for the first chapter of A Table in the Corner. Join me next Tuesday for Season 2 and much more chef- and restaurant-focused content. Message me here with comments or guest suggestions. Treat yourself - order direct from Zuney Wagyu Get a fair price with HeadsUp Top Restaurants in Cape Town according to the Inside Guide Survey www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless oth...

1 month ago

8 minutes

A Table in the Corner

Reboot 1. Franck Dangereaux

While we work on the early episodes of Season Two, we're going to issue some re-edited and remastered episodes from the archives of Season One. Enjoy this chat with one of the legends of the local food scene, Franck Dangereaux. www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise credited Title music: 'In Time' by Olexy via Pixabay

2 months ago

28 minutes

A Table in the Corner

150. Jonathan Robinson - Bean There Coffee

As if proof were needed that strong narratives sell brands, my favourite local coffee brand, Bean There, has a fabulous back-story. We used their coffee in our restaurants and I was a regular in their Wale Street shop before the closed it to concentrate on the wholesale aspect of their business. I sat down for a great chat with Jono Robinson, the founder and drive behind this excellent brand to find out more about how he started and how it's going. Visit the 44 Stanley website for more inform...

2 months ago

38 minutes

A Table in the Corner

149. Justin Bonello - Neighbourhood Farm

I'm back with Justin Bonello to chat about his urban farming project, Neighbourhood Farm in Fish Hoek. One episode just couldn't pack in all the stuff this fascinating human is doing, and I'm not sure I've managed in two. We spoke about the importance of connection kids to nature and the source of their food, the challenges of keeping an urban farming project running and the harrowing thought that although we idealise the village life, we've completely forgotten how to live as a community in ...

2 months ago

38 minutes

A Table in the Corner

148. Dale Herbst - That Food Guy

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, I chat to Dale Herbst — the creative force behind That Food Guy. A content creator and brand marketer with a deep love for food culture, Dale recently traded Johannesburg for Cape Town, drawn by our rich and diverse culinary scene. He’s now collaborating with local food and hospitality brands to craft stories and creative campaigns that celebrate their flavour bth here and abroad. www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image ...

2 months ago

32 minutes

A Table in the Corner

147. Yoraya Nydoo - Not Sad Food Co.

Fresh from a month's residency at Clarke's in Bree Street, Yoraya Nydoo of Not Sad Food Co. sat down with me to talk about the experience. We chatted about whether she and partner Claudia Alberti are ready for a bricks-and-mortar restaurant having pushed that boat out. It's a complicated answer and led to some interesting lines of discussion. Message me here with comments or guest suggestions. Treat yourself - order direct from Zuney Wagyu Get a fair price with HeadsUp Top Restaurants in Cape...

3 months ago

33 minutes

A Table in the Corner

146. Justin Bonello - Ultimate Content Creator

Justin Bonello was creating great food shows for TV back when Jamie Oliver was just starting to come to our attention. Some of my favourite local cookbooks are the product of his creative vision, and he is almost single-handedly responsible for dragging braais out or our back yards and into the limelight with the incredibly popular Ultimate Braai Master series. We found some time for a chat about the roots of his creative impulse and where he is now, with his urban farming project, Neighbourh...

3 months ago

34 minutes

A Table in the Corner

145. Charné van Heerden - HIBALL Cocktail Bar

Charné van Heerden was the life and soul of House of Machines, and there was probably a collective "Booooo!" when people heard she was moving on after six years behind the bar. Lucky for the crew, she only moved across the road, and opened her own very chilled, late-night cocktail lounge. HIBALL serves a range of cleverly-wrought cocktails in high ball glasses, along with flavoursome and comforting risottos. The idea is that it's not too raucous. You can linger over your drink and natter the ...

3 months ago

30 minutes

A Table in the Corner

144. Luke Dale-Roberts & Jason Kosmas - PLC

Luke Dale-Roberts and Jason Kosmas got back from setting up their London pop-up of Pot Luck Club in mid-August. It's running at the iconic Waldorf Hilton Hotel until the end of November 2025, with an option to extend if chefs and hotel agree. It's too early for any serious reviews to give us an idea of how the concept has been welcomed, but the two chefs loved doing it and working with a local team in Aldwych. I was very chuffed that they agreed to sit down and chat to me in the recently refu...

3 months ago

33 minutes

A Table in the Corner

143. Ashley Moss - Fyn & Ramenhead

Ashley Moss has worked with chef Peter Tempelhoff since he started his cooking journey at The Greenhouse. They’ve since partnered in opening a number of shops including FYN and Ramenhead. I spoke to him about the journey, his inspiration and the drive to create. Message me here with comments or guest suggestions. Treat yourself - order direct from Zuney Wagyu Get a fair price with HeadsUp www.rwm2012.com On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson ...

4 months ago

36 minutes