The UCOOK Podcast

With any supermarket, meeting the people behind your produce is often impossible. Today we're introducing you to three farmers who not only supply UCOOK with incredible organic fruit and vegetables through our Khulisa Amafama programme, but who are educating and taking care their communities with the help of nutritious food. This month's episode of Change Makers lets you hear from Baluleka Sisusa and Thapelo Xabanisa from Feed the Khaltsha and Thozama Sikiti from Thunariso Organic Garden on how sustainable farming has changed their lives and the ideas they're planting for the future. 
 Feed the Khaltsha: IG: @feed_the_khaltsha. FB: facebook.com/FeedTheKhayelitsha 
Thunariso Organic Garden: IG: @thunariso_organic753. FB: facebook.com/ThunarisoOrganicGarden

For centuries human beings lived off the land, but with the invention of and innovations in commercial farming, we find ourselves a little more disconnected from food with every meal we eat. This month's episode of Change Makers takes you back to the beginning and lets you step into a world where eating only what we forage can be a reality. We took a walk with author and forager Justin Williams, Veld and Sea founder Roushanna Gray and Dr Tapiwa Guzha, creator of Tapi Tapi, to bring you the story. Read on for links to discover more about each guest below and, if you enjoyed this episode, leave us a rating (we'd really appreciate it).  Justin Williams:  IG: @foraging.co.za Website: foraging.co.za Roushanna Gray  IG: @veldandsea Website: veldandsea.com Tapiwa Guzha IG: @_tapi_tapi Website: tapitapi.co.za

Welcome to Change Makers, a new podcast from the team behind UCOOK that challenges your views and lets you hear directly from the people who aren't afraid to make a difference. Craft beer is an unstoppable industry that's changed the way we look at South Africa's favourite beverage. What's led to its massive growth year on year, and who are the people driving its future? In this episode we speak with three entrepreneurs – from the makers to the tasters – to find out where we are, where we're going and what we should be drinking next.

Welcome to Change Makers, a new podcast from the team behind UCOOK that challenges your views and lets you hear directly from the people who aren't afraid to make a difference. Should we abandon fishing our oceans before it's too late? In this three-part episode we ask leaders in the fields of sustainability, law and tech to get to the bottom of the state of the small-scale fishing industry in South Africa.

Special Edition: Red, white and rosé all day – as South Africans we can't get enough of our local wines. But what does the rest of the world think, and where do we rank in terms of the global market? In this special report, CEO and founder of Publik, David Cope, joins host Nick Corbett to talk about South Africa's wine renaissance and how the lockdown has affected it. Listen today to learn how Publik is driving accessibility to farms and why South African premium varieties are (finally) having their day in the sun, and get a few secret tips on how to taste wine in a restaurant without committing to the bottle.

Ready for a treat this Halloween? Special guest South African superstar Nik Rabinowitz joins host Nick Corbett on this Bite Sized episode that's all about sugar. From the scary dishes people used to eat it with, to how we were led to believe that it's not unhealthy, sugar has been one of humanity's obsessions since it was first discovered it over 8 000 years ago. Listen today for some candy-coated facts, share with a friend who has a sweet tooth for trivia, and keep an eye on your sugar intake this spooky season.

It's the first thing we crave in the morning and our fuel to get through the day – coffee is officially on the menu! On today's episode, special guest comedian Rob van Vuuren joins host Nick Corbett as they simmer over the story of coffee – from where it came from, to tips on sourcing it responsibility, and how a bad cup at a café may have kicked off the French Revolution. Listen for our advice on how we like it best, and share this episode with a fellow coffee addict.

Cheese. Whether it's grated onto pastas, elevating sandwiches or taking the charcuterie-board spotlight, this culinary delight is one of our MVP ingredients. On today's episode comedian Angel Campey joins host Nick Corbett as we find out where cheese first came from, how it inspired ancient foot races, and uncover which bank still uses it as currency. Prepare your platters, slice yourself some figs and sink your teeth into this story of science (with a sprinkle of make-believe).

Pizza. It's the one thing that brings us together (even though some toppings may tear us apart). On this episode, singer and media titan Katlego Maboe joins host Nick Corbett in uncovering the first pizzas in history, what it's like to eat one in space, and how Brazil brought the smell of a freshly made margarita to DVDs. Grab a slice of this gooey goodness and share this episode with friends whose choice in toppings you can trust.

Tea has been the cause of some of history's most tremendous events and today we're unpacking the story of the world's most popular hot beverage. Comedian Dalin Oliver joins the show to help tell the tale of how a stolen tea tree led to a dash of espionage, an international sensation, and the inspiration for ocean racing. Put the kettle on and get comfy because this episode will have you craving a cup.

It's the episode you've been waiting for. Cookies, cakes, fondues, fondants and so much more – we love putting chocolate in everything. Find out why the Mayans saw cacao beans as more valuable than gold, why cacao traveled to every country in the world, and how a chocolate bar destined for Winston Churchill nearly changed the course of history. It's a more-ish episode so listen today for a bonus list of all our favourites and learn one thing you need to know before you buy your next bar.

Humanity has been obsessed with strange and harmful diet crazes since the time of Ancient Greece. Join host Nick Corbett and special guest Glen Biderman-Pam as they rediscover some of the weirdest eating fads, from vinegar and wine-and-eggs-only plans, to Elvis Presley's “Sleeping Beauty” diet. Listen today and share The UCOOK Podcast with friends who you know will enjoy a bit of Bite Sized trivia.

SA comedian Yaaseen Barnes joins host Nick Corbett as they take a journey down the Salt Route, uncovering everything from what it has to do with your salary to why you throw it over your left shoulder. Listen now for your daily dose of food trivia, complete with salty moments and more than a pinch of comedy gold.

Broadcasting and TV legend Leigh-Anne Williams chats with host Nick Corbett as they uncover some of the tricks supermarkets like to play on us to keep us shopping. Find out how everything from the music to the store layout to the colour of the bananas (you read that right) are all intentional ways to get us to shop, shop, shop. Tune in to take notes on how Leigh-Anne expertly handles a wonky-wheeled trolley like a pro and get a sneak peek into next week's episode.

Special Guest Minki van der Westhuizen joins host Nick Corbett in telling the story of where Michelin Stars came from, and what it means for a restaurant to receive one. Listen to the journey of how it all began, find out how a tyre company behind the awards helped The Allies win the war, and meet the only chef in the world who refused a Michelin Star. Plus, hear which restaurant Minki would award her own special star to.

MasterChef's Reuben Riffel tells us about how his heritage and community are a part of not only his food, but his business model too, and what it means to be a celebrity chef in South Africa. Hear from him about the future of celebrating South African ingredients, cooking with Martha Stewart, and his next big moves in the industry.

The Foodbarn's Franck Dangereux joins us in conversation about how he completely re-engineered his restaurant to best support his staff during the lock-down, and how important the power of community has been. Plus, what to expect from his Duck Breast and Gooseberry Gastrique UCOOK Along, and taste of a love story in France. Listen for a special code to get 30% off your first order. 

Renowned chef and restaurateur Karen Dudley speaks to us about how COVID-19 has affected her industry and about her UCOOK meal-kit that you can sign up for. She even tells us something she has never revealed before about the time Michelle Obama visited her beloved establishment, The Kitchen.