John Maytham speaks to Tony Jackman, Food Writer for the Daily Maverick, whose story “The Chef in the Shadows and the Lost Decades of Cape Cuisine” explores how local dishes like koesisters, breyani, and bobotie were once deemed unworthy of restaurant menus — and how chefs like Abbas Abrahams are reclaiming that narrative. Jackman reflects on what was lost, what’s being rediscovered, and how a new generation of chefs is redefining what it means to cook South African.

Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. 

A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. 

Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham 

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