I first met Dion Vengatass in Chef Rudi Liebenberg's kitchen at the Mount Nelson Hotel. He barely looked up from his prep, just kept chopping and sorting at pace. He was the solid, do-it-all chef running all the sections that needed to operate smoothly while the complexities of the pastry section and fine dining were building a reputation for the hotel's cuisine. When Covid ripped the heart out of the hospitality industry, Chef Dion was retrenched. Never one to let anything get him down, he started Violet by Vengatass named for the grandmother who had taught him to cook. From delivering meals in lockdown, he took his broad hotel kitchen experience and a winning streak on international culinary contests, and became one of Cape Town's most sought-after private chefs. Chef Dion now works in Cape Town and abroad for top-notch clients. He's appeared on TV as a contestant on Ultimate Braaimaster, a guest chef on morning shows and a judge on a new reality cooking program. I managed to catch up with him days before he headed of for another 3 month stretch in a fabulous estate kitchen in the UK. 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
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131. Lance Littlefield - Motherdough
This is the second time I've had Lance Littlefield on the show. Back on Episode 77 he was an absolute mine of information on the craft of baking sourdough bread. We were introduced to 'Alfonsina' his starter, and the wonders of Motherdough Bakery. Almost a year later, he and partner Willem van Schalkwyk have had their Stellenbosch store running for 6 months, and there are plans for another venue. In this episode though, with the upcoming Food Indaba in mind, I spoke to Lance about the use of AI in running the bakery. AI and the Food System is the theme of this year's Food Indaba so training a bot to make the production of a bakery more efficient and saving 25% or more on waste is a relevant conversation. Thanks so much for sharing your dabbling in these dark arts Lance.Get a fair Price. Get a HeadsUp.Order your Wagyu beef directly from the farmer at Zuney. 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
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130. Christophe Dehosse - Klein Joostenberg & Vine Bistro
I've known Christophe Dehosse for over a decade. The incredible bistro, deli and butchery he runs with his wife Susan is just round the corner from the site of my first Winelands restaurant. He was always good for a loooooong natter about the industry when I rocked up at Klein Joostenberg looking for ingredients, and some of the chefs I hold in high regard (like George Jardine and Rudi Liebenberg) consider him a bit of a legend. It was only when I interviewed Matthew Gordon from Franschhoek on the show recently, that I discovered that his trail of culinary crumbs and influences runs right back to the early beginnings of the Western Cape food miracle. We had a wide-ranging and fascinating chat about his adventures and his thoughts about the industry now. The original recording ran to 1h33 - so I had to chop it a bit. Truly a giant on the local food scene. 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
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129. Melanie Stewart - Oranjezicht City Farm
In this episode I speak to Melanie Stewart who is the farm manager of Oranjezicht City Farm (OZCF). The farm and her Tea With A Farmer farm tours are part of the two week programme for the Food Indaba happening in Cape Town from 7th to 20th of July, 2025. The Food Indaba explores the possible impacts and benefits of AI on African food systems. We spoke about this and about the use of AI in an app that helps OZCF with crop rotation. We also spoke about their allotment system, public participation, and the produce boxes available weekly from the farm.OZ City Farm website Food Indaba websitereach out and tell me who you'd like to hear on the show or let's make a podcast together. 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
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128. Bertus Basson - Ongetem
Bertus Basson is an absolute biscuit. He has an uncanny instinct for opening places you love to visit and feeding you things you love to eat. He's also been a tremendous source of advice and support since we first met in 2008. Ongetem is his new restaurant - his first sit-down eatery in Cape Town, and he's opened it in Park Road, Gardens in the new Hilton Canopy Hotel. It's brand new, so I've only managed to eat an excellent breakfast there, but it's dripping in the biker-chic style that increasingly defines Bertus's easy dining. It's not exactly casual, as you can feast well there, and the front-of-house team is excellent, but you can also just pop in for a drink and a small bite. It's also surprisingly reasonable. Bertus and I - as always - had a really great chat.Ongetem websitereach out and tell me who you'd like to hear on the show or let's make a podcast together. 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
A Table in the Corner is the space where Russel Wasserfall chats to people in the food industry about their passion and their take on the business of eating. Russel has worked in the media and food space for over 3 decades. He's run bars, restaurants and a confectionery factory, written for dozens of food and travel publications and made a bunch of cookbooks. His show is about the nitty-gritty of the food trade in all its forms. Top chefs, food artisans, proprietors, bakers, farmers, foragers, cheesemakers, writers, photographers, bloggers... you name it. If they’re involved in the food industry, you will meet them with Russel at A Table in the Corner.
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