Most foodies will tell you they have a food spot that is known just by them, and only the deserving will get to taste the heaven that is on offer there. Indeed, many businesses rely on this word-of-mouth advertising and fierce loyalty.
For those who don’t have foodie friends, media personality Anele Mdoda has got your back. Mdoda, who anchors the Anele and The Club breakfast show on 947 radio station, is spilling all the tea about great foods and food places in Johannesburg. When asked what inspired the decision to make food one of the focal points of the breakfast show she had this to say:
“It was the most natural thing. Who does not love food? Cooking shows and cooking channels are the fastest growing of content, especially during lockdown.
“Remember when Oprah and Gayle went on a quest for the best sandwich in America, all I wanted was to taste every single one. Also I love giving small businesses a hand up, that is what Joburg is about.”
Mdoda and her team have asked Joburg to point them to where all the scrumptious eats are – from Johannesburg’s best ribs to, most recently, Johannesburg’s best biltong.
“It was on this leg of Johannesburg’s Best that I woke up on a tempestuous autumn morning to go and attend the crowning of the best biltong in Joburg at 947 studios at Montecasino in Fourways."
There was an impressive mini-market stall set up for the five finalists; Impala Meat Centre, Lekker Biltong, Pollocks Produce, Bull & Bush Meat Merchants and Centersave Supermarket. After some deliberation from the judges, who included Afrikaans singer Kurt Darren, Vereeniging-based Centersave Supermarket was announced as having the best biltong in Joburg.
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Johnny Paraskevopoulos of Centersave Supermarket initially thought his nomination was a prank but was pleasantly surprised and happy about taking the top honour.
“It feels real now, it's sinking in. It’s still a little bit of a blur, like a dream. We’ve worked so hard and our customers enjoy our biltong, hard work pays off,” he said.
The store is family-owned and Paraskevopoulos said his family had been making biltong for as long as the store had been open, 33 years ago, but the recipe for the spice used on the prize winning biltong was only eight years old. The win has made it easier for them to take the next step in their business.
“What we are going to do now is go on a different level, like online, because the product must get out so everybody can enjoy it,” he said.
After experiencing live what goes into finding and crowning one of “Joburg’s Best” we caught up with Mdoda, who had not been able to come to studio as she was ill, to find out all about her favourites.
Q and A with Anele:
What is your favourite food memory?
Waking up to the smell of baked bread in our house.
When it comes to food what should one never do?
Care what other people think in how you eat your food. For years we were told you don’t drink red wine and seafood, do what makes your taste buds happy. Eat dessert first. The other night I hosted a dinner with only meat. Do what makes you happy.
Which ingredient is the superhero (it can save any dish) of the culinary world?
Honey and Soya sauce will make any meat dish pop and parmesan cheese grated over steamed veggies.
What is your must have in a picnic/padkos basket?
I hate picnics, they are so uncomfortable. Padkos is fried chicken.
Pick one; Cape Town or Joburg restaurants? Why?
Port Elizabeth. There is a culinary explosion happening there and no one is onto it. Gqeberha is the plug.
Which destination would you travel to solely for their food? Why?
Japan. From the reality shows I had watched I went and it lived up to my expectations but now either Australia because of Masterchef Australia or Argentina because of the show on Netflix Street Food: Latin America [the segment on Argentina] and Italy so I can master my pasta-making skills. Yes, I make my own pasta.
What are your favourite foods currently?
Salads and Salmon and Mleqwa (home grown /free range chicken). I make the best mleqwa, shame.
What is the one food that Joburg does better than anyone else in the country?
Vetkoeks and Kota.
If you could pick a national food that would represent us, what would that be?
Boerewors and Pap.
What is your go-to meal to make or present to guests?
I was asked to cook so my man can impress his business partners and I decided on a leg of lamb, mleqwa, soft rolls, spicy rice and Sherry chicken. It was a winner. And I will make a homemade custard with malva pudding. I also make a mean oxtail.
Please give us your top five favourite foods?
Chicken Licken hot wings
Wimpy cheeseburger
Steers Ribs
Harlem’s Ribs
Steers chips
Avo, toast and boiled or poached eggs and anything I cook. I am a really good cook, yazi shem.
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