Southern African food cravings – why choose this taste adventure

The truth behind Southern African Food cravings

Still having Southern African food cravings? Even after years of living in the UK? 

What is that all about?

Like so many who make the leap across the ocean, I found myself not in London, but in Wales 18 years ago.

The country known for its singing, rugby, hills, sheep and lots and lots of green – probably from all the rain.

Having grown up in Namibia, lots and lots of rain is something you dream about, but never really experience.

Then when you do, lots and lots of rain means less and less of what you love and are used to – the sun and being outdoors.

Fortunately I had the opportunity to sit down with a business mentor shortly before coming to the UK.

We chatted and as we did, I mapped out all the possible ways I could earn as I travelled around the UK.

This included M’s Kitchen

Armed with some of my grandmother M’s easy Southern African food recipes, I set off to this land where they spoke one of the oldest known languages in the world.

After just a couple of weeks of sightseeing, I was bored stiff.

Not because I did not like the country or all those green hills; I just understood that I was never going to be one of those ladies who lunch.

Even if I could.

So I got a job

Just a few months later, I was back doing exactly what I did in South Africa.

Thus the dream of greater flexibility and shorter working hours got shelved.

Fact is, I was never really homesick – two visits a year to South Africa made sure of that.

Then came the first little M and my own business.

Long hours, no holidays to speak off, but greater flexibility – at least on paper.

My coping strategy?

Bake myself better and lessen those Southern African food cravings

I started by making my granny’s recipes.

Then I found and adapted other Southern African classic food recipes too.

And so M’s Kitchen, although it was not called that for ages, was set into motion.

As I baked, I remembered my typical family Christmas.

I was almost always barefoot and in shorts; swimming, laughing and mostly not worrying about tomorrow.

It made me sad (still does when the Christmas ads appear on TV), but glad at the same time.

I had a kitchen to bake and make in.

What is more, I had memories and love and people I cared about.

I had and I have a lot to be grateful for.

As I stand in M’s Kitchen…

I make to give

I give of myself, my love and (hopefully) knowledge and passion  for Southern African food and culture.

I give the only thing that is true to me.

My Southern African heritage, my memories, my emotions – happy or sad.

M’s Kitchen is so much more than Southern African food, it is a journey of self.

A love affair with who we are, where we come from and where we want to be.

Just like every recipe, there is a start, a middle and an end.

Just like life, it is not always perfect

So we adapt, we find better ways of doing things, but we always stay 100% real.

As for those Southern African food cravings – I still get them, I just know how to satisfy them.

Remember we do live demonstrations on Facebook where we show you how to make Southern African food recipes.

Please join us and help us share our love of Southern Africa by liking and sharing our page @FromMsKitchen (#frommskitchen on Instagram)