community
A kitchen is its own universe. Much like nature, it’s a self-contained system composed of processes that keep order and balance and create beautiful things. Over the years, countless passionate individuals have contributed their talents to our culinary team and passed their knowledge and wisdom down to those who followed in their footsteps. As each chef brings their unique touch, they also learn and gain their own insights from their time in the kitchen. Many of the lessons our chefs, past and present, reflect on are not unlike those we can learn from nature – the importance of timing, maintaining balance, and trusting your instincts. Listening to your gut: Our instincts are powerful tools. They help us, and animals and plants, determine what is safe, what tastes good, and even when to act and when to wait. Listening to this inner voice is a skill many of us have lost. But when she was learning to cook from her grandmother, Ndileka Tunzi recalls that many of the dishes didn’t have recipes. “They relied solely on balancing flavours.”
In nature, timing is also something to approach intuitively. Everything happens when it’s good and ready. This is something chefs must learn through their craft. Sometimes it applies to a dish, sometimes to a process. It may even apply to the ingredients themselves – the best results come from working with the seasons, in tune with nature. Head Chef at Boulders, Mohun Bowes-Taylor, always looks to her surroundings and asks herself ‘Does it make sense for where we are?’ Ndileka also notes the importance of looking at the big picture. “I try to be patient – also with myself. Small steps lead to a long journey. I am a believer in teamwork and that if we all work hard for each other, our goal will be achieved more easily.” In pursuit of balance: As is true in life, a successful dish and team require balance. And while they operate as a unit, each brings their own artistry, flair, and skills to the table to create memorable, meaningful food experiences. Being able to create balance is partly learnt and partly intuitive. It’s about knowing how to bring different elements together harmoniously
Powered by FlippingBook