Top South African and international chefs, mixologists and food personalities will be taking to the stage when Good Life Show comes to Cape Town in May.
The lineup includes Luke Lawrence Barry, a culinary artist with global flair; celebrated plant-based chef and wellness advocate Bettina Campolucci Bordi; Abigail Donnelly, Food Director for Woolworths Taste Magazine and Creative Stylist for Woolworths; internationally acclaimed raw gourmet food pioneer Dr. Aris LaTham; beloved personality The Giggling Gourmet, Jenny Morris; Siphiwe Sithole, farmer and founder of African Marmalade and champion of indigenous seeds; and British celebrity chef Jameson Stocks.
The Good Life Show is the premier event for showcasing some of the most innovative and forward-thinking brands across the food, drink, health, wellness, and conscious living sectors and dishes out huge dollops of inspiration for anyone with an interest in food, health, wellness, the environment or more conscious living, as well as the trade, including retail, restaurant, hotel and hospitality establishments, local distributors and exporters, looking for innovative, high-quality products.
Dr. Aris LaTham: “I’m going to show off what good living is all about. I am 100% plant-powered for 55 years, 77 years of age and still climbing coconut trees. This is what life is about.”
Bettina Campolucci Bordi: “I’m so excited to be part of the Good Life Show and to connect with amazing food lovers again. I can’t wait to share my passion for plant-based cooking and inspire people to make delicious, sustainable choices. I’m especially looking forward to coming back to South Africa, as it holds such a special place in my heart.”
Jameson Stocks: “I’m really looking forward to the show and I cannot wait to see everyone there and share this amazing experience with you all.”
Abigail Donnelly: “I’m thrilled to be part of the show this year. This is truly a place where food meets purpose.”
Luke Lawrence Barry: “The Good Life Show is the perfect platform to share my passion for conscious cooking. I’m excited to showcase how plant-based food can be bold, vibrant and packed with flavour.”
Greg Henderson: “I’m incredibly excited to be at the Good Life Show. It is such an energising space for anyone who cares about living better. From innovative products to conversations around sustainability, this show brings together the ideas and people that are shaping a healthier future.”
The Good Life Show Organiser, Heidi Warricker says: “We are absolutely delighted to have such a talented line-up of local and international chefs on board, each bringing their own unique perspective and helping us showcase just how vibrant and conscious the future of food can be. One of the biggest trends worldwide is wellness, sustainability and food awareness, and this is where the Good Life Show is bang on target. People are becoming more aware of what they are consuming, where it comes from as well as the effects on the environment. Chefs are actively seeking to source higher quality, locally sourced, and often smaller producer ingredients. This trend is driven by a desire for fresh, flavourful and healthier food, support for local communities, and a growing emphasis on sustainability and ethically produced goods.”
MEET THE CHEFS & PERSONALITIES TAKING PART IN THE SHOW
Abigail Donnelly, Food Director for Woolworths Taste Magazine and Creative Stylist for Woolworths
Award-winning food editor and judge for major culinary competitions, Abigail is known for her refined palate and editorial influence. She helped shape Taste and Eat Out magazines, and her style celebrates seasonal simplicity with elegance. She is the tastemaker who brings honest, beautifully crafted food into the spotlight.
Amerae brings a creative and detail-oriented approach to every project. She is passionate about crafting visually stunning culinary experiences for her clients. With a specialty in allergy-conscious and vegan diets, she offers expert services in menu consulting and product development.
Clement Pedro, Chef, Food Stylist, and Presenter
Clement Pedro, celebrated chef and food stylist, is one of the featured culinary talents at The Good Life Show. Known for his roles on Afternoon Express and Expresso Morning Show, Clement brings his passion for food and flair for storytelling to the event’s vibrant lineup.
Emma Claire Peter, Culinary Innovator
With over 18 years of experience in the South African and international food industry, she is a creative culinary force known for blending innovation with originality. Her work spans retail, food production, and marketing, where she has developed standout campaigns that connect with consumers and celebrate the art of food.
Greg Henderson, International award-winning wild and indigenous chef, Executive Chef at the Palm House Boutique Hotel
Greg Henderson, widely known as The Forage Chef, is a celebrated South African chef and champion of local sourcing and seasonal eating. With over 20 years of experience leading fast-paced, high-volume professional kitchens, his impressive career includes serving as Group Executive Chef for two prominent hotel management companies, earning him a reputation for excellence, innovation, and culinary leadership. Greg is an international award-winning chef, having been named “Best Head Chef in Africa” and honoured as the Global Winner for “Most Sustainable Dining Experience”. He currently serves as Executive Chef at the Palm House Boutique Hotel and is a proud WWF Ambassador, using his platform to promote sustainable practices and environmental stewardship in the culinary world.
Jenny Morris, The Giggling Gourmet
A household name in South Africa and abroad, Jenny is a Food Network star, author of six cookbooks, and founder of the Giggling Gourmet Cooks Playground. She has cooked for presidents and royalty and continues to charm audiences with her vibrant energy and passion for flavour. Her infectious laughter and culinary storytelling turn every demo into an unforgettable experience. Jenny also broadcasts a weekly show on Smile FM called The Cooks Playground, airing every Saturday from 8:30 to 9:00 AM.
Luke Lawrence Barry, Culinary Artist, Executive Chef at Mount Nelson
Currently the Executive Chef at the Belmond Mount Nelson, Luke has an extensive career that spans Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and the Middle East. He infuses each dish with a rich blend of flavours, seamlessly combining the art of storytelling with his culinary creations. With a strong focus on sustainability, seasonal ingredients, and local South African produce, his cooking offers a distinctive depth and authenticity.
Roxanne Read, Award-winning Mixology Maven
With 18 years of experience, she is regarded as a veteran and trendsetter in South African mixology. Her career spans high-volume bars to premium cocktail menus, rooted in creativity, leadership, and passion. For the past 9 years, she has focused on training and mentoring emerging talent, focusing on bar education and menu development. As head trainer at the European Bartender School, she represents South Africa internationally, competing at elite cocktail events and championing African bartending. She is also a strong advocate for equity, actively supporting initiatives that empower women in hospitality.
Ru Furusa, Culinary Creative
Ru is the private chef and owner of Utano Kitchen in Cape Town, specialising in Asian-infused, Afro Avant Garde cuisine. With 10 years in the food industry and a background in research and development, she focuses on creating innovative, nutritious dishes using fresh, sustainable ingredients.
Siphiwe Sithole, Farming Pioneer and Expert in Indigenous African Crops
Chef Siphiwe is the founder of African Marmalade and a vocal advocate for indigenous ingredients and food security. She is passionate about storytelling through food and preserving traditional African culinary heritage. She brings rich roots, identity, and history to every dish.
Surendra Kumar, Executive Chef at Taj Cape Town
Surendra is currently the Executive Chef at Taj Cape Town and is the winner of Chef of the Year for 2024 – Plant-Based Division (Western Cape Region). Hailing from Durban, Chef Kumar is a true spice maestro, celebrated for his authentic Indian cuisine infused with a modern twist. With over 20 years of experience in five-star kitchens and a culinary journey that spans Morocco, Turkey, Dubai, Paris, Switzerland, and Mumbai, his skill of curries and tandoori dishes has earned him a world-class reputation.
uMenzi Mbonami, Food Artist and expert in Permaculture and Indigenous African Cuisines
A culinary artist from KwaZulu-Natal, Menzi’s food is deeply rooted in culture and community. He fuses rural cooking techniques with modern plating, creating a proud reflection of Zulu culinary heritage. His dishes speak of tradition, resilience, and unapologetic flavour.
WOOLWORTHS CHEFS
Woolworths chefs will demonstrate the innovation and creativity behind one of South Africa’s most beloved food brands. Expect cutting-edge demos, fresh flavours, and world-class dishes from this dynamic team of professionals:
Anita Van Wyk, Food & Nutrition Expert
Chef Anita, a passionate advocate for animal welfare and sustainability, began her culinary journey after 15 years in the industry, later transitioning into a leadership role at Woolworths. Her deep respect for nature and commitment to ethical food practices make her a standout presence at the Good Life Show.
Lehanie Müller, Product Developer at Woolworths
Silwood School of Cookery graduate Lehanie spent 13 years as a professional chef before taking over a role in the product development department at Woolworths, where she has led innovation across multiple categories for the past 8 years. With a vibrant passion for cooking, especially baking, she brings warmth, creativity, and joy to every dish she creates and every gathering she hosts.
Mika Zorgman, Macrobiotics and Plant-based Nutrition Expert
Mika is a plant-based chef with 25 years of experience, having cooked extensively across Europe and trained in the healing and nutritional benefits of whole plant-based foods. Passionate about bringing real, nourishing ingredients back to the forefront, she champions a cleaner, less processed approach to plant-based eating.
Monique Malan, Product Developer at Woolworths
As a Product Developer at Woolworths, Monique leads innovation in Plant-Based Protein. With a passion for flavour and quality, she bridges the gap between tradition and innovation to meet the evolving tastes of today’s conscious consumers.
Good Life Show
About the Good Life Show
This highly anticipated event will once again celebrate the evolving plant-based, natural, and organic industries. With the wellness sector experiencing consistent global growth, the Good Life Show continues to support small businesses in these rapidly expanding markets. Notably, the plant-based market is expected to grow by an impressive $13 billion by 2026.
Get ready for bags of fresh and fun-filled experiences at the 2025 Good Life Show. Now in its 5th year, SA’s best food, drink and conscious living event and largest event of its kind in Southern Africa is back with even more exciting high-quality and innovative products, experiences and surprising content.
Whether you are sourcing delicious and exciting food and beverages, new wellness products, or discovering eco-friendly and conscious living ideas, The Good Life Show has something for everyone. There will be innovative products to try, chef demos, mixology sessions, hands-on Masterclasses, expert wellness advice, insightful industry talks and activities that will leave you feeling not only inspired, but motivated and empowered. Join us for the most unique culinary, health, wellness, and sustainability event of the year.
Visitors can meet some big-name local and international chefs and discover products and services in an entertaining, engaging and informative way.
Aimed at anyone with an interest in food, health, wellness, the environment or more conscious living as well as trade professionals (retail and foodservice) looking for innovative high-quality products, The Good Life Show will feature thousands of high-quality and innovative food, drink and conscious living brands and products available in South Africa right now.
Be sure not to miss out! Remember to mark your calendars for the event happening this May in Cape Town!
