http://www.reinventhealth.co.za Proudly South African and deliciously personal. Join your host Nicci Robertson as she explores the rich cultural tapestry that is South African food culture. Listen in on conversations with industry leaders while they discuss passion, perseverance and the challenges of being an entrepreneur in the food and hospitality industry. Food en Thu, 12 Feb 2026 16:58:06 +0200 Mon, 11 May 2026 01:00:00 +0200 30 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss iono.fm 2.5.2.0 Re-Invent Media no Nicci Robertson Weekly feeds@iono.fm (Feed Manager) https://cdn.iono.fm/files/p3954/logo_9830_20260404_161738_1400.jpeg http://www.reinventhealth.co.za Proudly South African and deliciously personal. Re-Invent Media episodic Re-Invent Media nicci@reinventhealth.co.za false ZA https://iono.fm/e/1674274 https://iono.fm/e/1674274 In this episode of South African Food Stories, Nicci Robertson chats with with Samantha Skyring, founder of Oryx Desert Salt, to unpack one of the most unusual food entrepreneurship stories in Africa.
What started as a life-changing moment in the Namib Desert became a global gourmet brand distributed in more than 20 countries. Samantha shares the science, mythology and controversy surrounding salt, why processed table salt changed the way we think about nutrition, and how a hidden aquifer beneath the Kalahari became the foundation of a premium African ingredient brand.
From single motherhood and financial risk to resilience, sustainability and intuition, this is a story about far more than seasoning. It’s about belief, survival and building something extraordinary from one of the simplest ingredients on earth. Oryx Web Page · Oryx IG · Oryx LinkedIn · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Sun, 10 May 2026 19:26:00 +0200 0 0 EP 10 - The African Salt Story That Became a Global Phenomenon - with Samantha Skyring 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 53:37 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1671918 https://iono.fm/e/1671918 With no background in farming, food production, or retail, the Wilkinson family learned everything from scratch, from growing olives to navigating international competitions and convincing a skeptical market to take a local premium product seriously.
Brenda lifts the lid on the global olive oil industry, exposing misleading labelling, and why many consumers are unknowingly buying inferior products. She explains why fresh, properly produced extra virgin olive oil behaves more like a fresh juice than a long life pantry staple, and why authenticity matters not just for flavour, but for your health. RioLargo Olive Oil · RioLargo IG · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Mon, 04 May 2026 01:00:00 +0200 0 0 EP9 - What It Takes to Produce World Class Olive Oil - with Brenda Wilkinson 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 44:18 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1669964 https://iono.fm/e/1669964 - It’s NOT about the food.
- It’s NOT about the price.
- And passion alone? Completely overrated.
From a single restaurant in Pretoria to an international powerhouse, Grace reveals what really built the brand and why most restaurant dreams collapse behind the scenes. Ocean Basket · FaceBook · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Sun, 26 Apr 2026 19:24:00 +0200 0 0 EP8 - Purpose Beats Product, The Ocean Basket Playbook with Grace Harding 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 42:19 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1667309 https://iono.fm/e/1667309 From chronic illness to clarity, Gary shares how real, unprocessed food became the catalyst for change, not just in his life, but in how he sources and sells food today.
They unpack the hidden costs of modern food systems, why nutrient density matters, and how regenerative farming could hold the key to better health for both people and the planet. This isn’t about diets or trends. It’s about reconnecting with food, and why that might change everything. Jacksons Website · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Fri, 17 Apr 2026 18:57:00 +0200 0 0 EP 7 - From Fast Food to Real Food, How Gary Jackson is Reinventing How We Buy Food 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 1:05:16 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1665125 https://iono.fm/e/1665125 In this episode of SA Food Stories, Zanele Van Zyl sits down with Nicci Robertson to unpack the real story behind her rise, from IT professional to one of South Africa’s most recognisable food voices.
Zanele didn’t follow the expected path. She left corporate life as a new mom to study cooking, built a loyal audience from scratch on social media, and turned rejection into rocket fuel by betting on herself when no one else would.
What followed was not overnight success, it was consistency, courage, and a refusal to dilute her voice.
They talk about:
Reinventing traditional South African food without losing its soul
Building a business organically, without shortcuts
The realities of motherhood and entrepreneurship colliding
Why trusting your own timing beats chasing validation
This is not a story about luck. It’s about backing yourself when there’s no safety net, and playing the long game until the world catches up. Zanele IG · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:07:00 +0200 0 0 EP 6 - Corporate Exit to Culinary Icon, Zanele Van Zyl Unfiltered 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 20:37 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1663005 https://iono.fm/e/1663005 In this episode of South African Food Stories, Nicci Robertson sits down with the legendary Ina Paarman to explore the journey behind the brand. From teaching cooking classes from home, self-publishing her first cookbook, and eventually building a global food company with her family.
Ina shares the lessons learned along the way, the principles she refused to compromise on, and why great food always begins with great ingredients. Ina Paarman · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Mon, 06 Apr 2026 01:00:00 +0200 0 0 EP5 - Ina’s Kitchen: How Ina Paarman Built One of South Africa’s Most Trusted Food Brands 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 38:47 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1660902 https://iono.fm/e/1660902 Originally trained as a graphic designer, Kenneth shares that a desire for deeper creative expression led him from agency life into social media, food storytelling, and, eventually, the creation of his debut cookbook, Paradise. What began as experimentation across multiple content niches evolved into a focused food platform built on curiosity, accessibility, and joy — stripping away intimidation and inviting people to cook with confidence.
The conversation moves beyond recipes into bigger themes of identity, creativity, and trusting your instincts, as Kenneth reflects on connecting the dots in hindsight, building community online, and transferring creative skills across disciplines. He also discusses why cookbooks still matter in a digital age, how Southern African ingredients inspire his work, and why indulgence, decadence, and pleasure deserve a place at the table.
From biltong ice cream mishaps to elevating everyday African foods, this episode offers an intimate look at a creator who refuses to follow trends — preferring instead to make them. It’s a thoughtful, inspiring conversation for anyone navigating a creative pivot, building something authentic online, or redefining what food can mean in their life. Kenneth's You Tube · Kenneth's IG · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Fri, 27 Mar 2026 19:58:00 +0200 0 0 EP4 - When Food Tastes Like Home with Kenneth Tebogo Middleton 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 35:27 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1658662 https://iono.fm/e/1658662 Natasha reflects on the early risks behind her first restaurant, from selling family property and borrowing money to working relentless 16-hour days to make the vision work. She shares the philosophy that still guides the brand today, treating every location as if it were a single restaurant and obsessing over the smallest details.
The conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship, the discipline required to scale without losing standards, and why true success is measured not in valuations but in the people you empower along the way.
Thank you to our episode sponsors FNB Business and Bidfood for bringing this episode to life.
Don't forget to rate, comment and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Tashas · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Sun, 22 Mar 2026 09:44:00 +0200 0 0 EP3 - The Making of Tashas Global Restaurant Empire - Scaling Without Losing Your Soul 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 44:11 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1655579 https://iono.fm/e/1655579 What began around a family kitchen table grew into a creative journey rooted in heritage, authenticity, and everyday cooking. Naqiyah reflects on growing up between tradition and modern life, the influence of family recipes, and the pressure many women feel to represent culture through food.
This thoughtful conversation goes beyond recipes to explore belonging, creativity, and why the most meaningful work often begins simply by feeding people and staying true to what feels real. YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:35:00 +0200 0 0 EP2 - Naqiyah Mayat on The Hidden Pressure Women Face Around Food and Culture 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 44:42 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1652786 https://iono.fm/e/1652786 J Something is best known as front-man for Micasa, but behind the scenes he has built a powerful presence in the culinary world, blending Portuguese heritage, storytelling, and a deep love of food into everything he does. From restaurants to cookbooks to television, his journey shows how food can be both deeply personal and powerfully cultural. Cordelia brings her own perspective to the table, sharing her passion for food, creativity, and the stories that connect people through what we eat.
Together, the conversation explores identity, heritage, creativity, and the role food plays in shaping who we are. We talk about where inspiration comes from, how food connects communities, and why the South African food story is one of the most exciting in the world right now.
If you care about food, culture, creativity, and the people behind the plates, this episode is a fascinating look into the heart of South African cuisine.
Subscribe to South African Food Stories for more conversations with the chefs, producers, farmers, and entrepreneurs shaping the future of food in South Africa. Website · YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Sun, 08 Mar 2026 01:00:00 +0200 0 0 EP1 - J Something and Coco - From Music to the Menu 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 54:13 SAFoodStories https://iono.fm/e/1645450 https://iono.fm/e/1645450 YouTube · FaceBook · Instagram · X · LinkedIn]]> Food Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:07:00 +0200 0 0 Welcome to South African Food Stories 0 0 Nicci Robertson full 1:14 SAFoodStories