‘It’s very rewarding’ – Chef Oliver warms 144 hearts and tummies at Lungi’s Kitchen

All good things must come to an end. This week, our Feed Mzansi road trip draws to a close when Chef Oliver Cattermole visits Lungi’s Kitchen in Cape Town, cooking 144 comforting bowls of chicken stew, which not only warms little tummies but the community’s heart too.

We’ve been on the road for more than a month, and together with South Africa’s most-loved chefs and Food Lover’s Market stores across the country, we’ve travelled thousands of kilometres, feeding close to 1 000 children.

We end our charitable road trip on a high note, in the city where we first kicked it into high gear seven weeks ago in Cape Town.

This week, Chef Oliver, owner of Bovine in Franschhoek, serves more than 100 ladles of nutritious goodness, when he prepares a hearty stew with tender shredded chicken and roasted root vegetables – the type of comfort food that feels like you’ve wrapped yourself in a warm cosy blanket.  

“I needed to do something that was hearty, that was wholesome, that was filling [and] full of nutrients. [That] fills them up [and] gives them the energy to get on with their day,” he says about his decision to prepare the comfort food classic, full of protein, healthy carbs and veggies.

A familiar stop on our inspiring journey, Chef Oliver fills his shopping trolley with a variety of fresh vegetables at Food Lover’s Market Parklands. From crunchy root vegetables to fibre-rich barley and flavour-packed chicken, Food Lover’s Market Parklands has Chef Oliver’s shopping list covered.

Tick, tick, tick! Watch the video for some grocery tips from the chef.

After ticking off all the ingredients from his shopping list, Chef Oliver loads his bakkie with the iconic green and brown paper bags filled to the brim with goodness, and makes his way to Summer Greens, where he’ll be meeting the owner of Lungi’s Kitchen, Lungisa Haai. 

Fun Food Fact: Root vegetables are packed with fibre and antioxidants, and low in calories, fat, and cholesterol.

Lovingly known as ‘Mama Lungi’, Lungisa runs six community kitchens in Gugulethu, Summer Greens, Khayelitsha, Dunoon, Phoenix and Joe Slovo, feeding 1000 children and 100 seniors daily.

“It’s not about food, it’s not about funding, it’s about the love I have for the people. I feel for the people because I’ve been there once. Not having anything to eat. So I know the pain,” she says. 

Lungisa’s love and concern for the wellbeing of others are echoed by the people around her, who all gather at the Summer Greens Community Hall and pitch in to ensure that no child goes hungry.

From donations of polystyrene containers to residents spreading the word on WhatsApp groups, the community rallies behind Lungisa and Chef Oliver to brighten the day of 144 children.

Not even a leaky bain-marie can dampen spirits, as handymen lend a hand, determined that every child receives a warm meal, served with a big smile.

After all the meals are served, Chef Oliver looks back on the day, saying: “[From] meeting with Lungi, listening to Lungi and then today at the Summer Greens community Hall, seeing the little kids’ faces – it’s heart-warming. It’s a nice thing to see. It’s very rewarding.”

Our journey across the country might have come to an end, but Food Lover’s Market’s commitment to making a difference in the lives of young South Africans is far from over.    

We’re excited to see where the road leads us next! We hope we’ve inspired you to get in the kitchen to Feed Mzansi.

At the end of the video series, one lucky chef with the most votes will receive R25 000 to donate to their featured child and youth care centre.