Food Network Africa is proud to introduce Food Trail: South Africa Season 1, a warm, visually rich and deeply personal exploration of the country’s food culture, hosted by South African‑born chef and cookbook author Warren Mendes. The 10‑episode series premieres Sunday, 26 April at 11:30 on DStv Channel 175.
Warren journeys through South Africa’s diverse terrain, exploring the regional flavours, traditions and stories that shape the nation’s identity. “Everywhere we went,” Warren shares, “I was reminded how deeply food is woven into our sense of place. South Africans don’t just cook, we tell stories through our food.”
A homecoming for Warren Mendes
For Warren, Food Trail: South Africa is more than a television series; it is a return to the country that shaped his earliest food memories. Born in South Africa and raised in a family where cooking was a shared language, Warren later trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Paris and London before building a successful career as a recipe developer, food stylist and culinary storyteller.
Filming the series brought him full circle. “Coming home to make this show felt incredibly special,” he says. “I’ve travelled and cooked all over the world, but there’s something about South Africa. The generosity, the laughter, the way people welcome you into their kitchens that you don’t find anywhere else.” His warm, familiar presence on screen, paired with a thoughtful voice‑over, guides viewers through each region with curiosity and heart.
A journey through South Africa’s regions
Across ten episodes, Warren travels through some of the country’s most iconic destinations, each offering a unique window into local life and flavour. From the bustling Oranjezicht Market and spice‑laden kitchens of Bo Kaap to mussel foraging along the Cape Coast, Pinotage tastings in the Winelands, and sunset potjies in the Kalahari, the series captures the breadth of South Africa’s culinary landscape.
Warren describes the experience as “a reminder of just how diverse this country is not only in its food, but in its people and landscapes. One day you’re cooking fish on a cliff overlooking the ocean, the next you’re learning Zulu recipes in a rural village or baking Koeksisters in the Union Building gardens. It’s impossible not to fall in love with South Africa all over again.”
Other highlights include Bunny Chow explorations in Durban, Shisa Nyama feasts in KwaZulu‑Natal, Amarula‑spiked desserts in Kruger, and a Soweto tuk‑tuk tour ending with Warren’s take on Chakalaka.
A cookbook that brings the series home
Warren’s cookbook, Food Trail South Africa, is available nationwide, allowing viewers to recreate the dishes they see on screen. Every recipe featured throughout the season appears in the book, from Braai Mielies with spiced butter and Durban‑style Bunny Chow to Dombolo with spiced fried chicken, Peppermint Crisp ice‑cream sandwiches, chocolate vinegar puddings, South African pavlova and his signature chocolate milk tart. “The cookbook is really an invitation,” Warren explains. “I wanted people to feel empowered to cook these dishes at home, not just admire them on TV. These are recipes that celebrate who we are as South Africans.”
A celebration of South Africa’s cultural richness
A remarkable blend of influences, including Cape Malay, Indian, Zulu, Afrikaans, and indigenous traditions, has shaped South African cooking for generations. Food Trail: South Africa embraces this diversity with genuine curiosity, shining a light on the people who grow and prepare the country’s everyday meals, the customs passed down through families, and the landscapes that give each region its character. As Warren reflects, “Our food tells the story of our country. It’s layered, it’s diverse, and it’s proudly ours. That’s what makes this series so meaningful to me.”
Food Trail: South Africa premieres Sunday, 26 April at 11:30 on Food Network Africa (DStv Channel 175), with new episodes airing weekly until 21 June. Each half‑hour instalment offers a fresh look at the people, places and plates that make South Africa one of the world’s most exciting food destinations, inviting viewers to travel, taste and celebrate alongside Warren.
EPISODE 1: CAPE TOWN
26 April 2026 @ 11:30
Warren explores Cape Town’s markets, cooks a Cape Malay curry in Bo‑Kaap and visits Simonstown for fresh fish and chips. The day ends with sundowners shared with family.
EPISODE 2: CAPE COAST
26 April 2026 @ 11:55
Warren visits Khayelitsha’s micro‑farmers before heading to Grootbos for a botanical safari, coastal mussel foraging and a farm‑fresh fish braai.
EPISODE 3: WINE COUNTRY
3 May 2026 @ 11:30
In the Cape Winelands, Warren tastes local wines including Pinotage and Ratafia, then cooks Bobotie and Milk Tart with food writer Abigail Donnelly.
EPISODE 4: THE KALAHARI
10 May 2026 @ 11:30
At Tswalu, Warren goes on safari, samples bush foods and joins Chef Marnus to prepare South African dishes inspired by the Kalahari’s unique produce.
EPISODE 5: DURBAN
17 May 2026 @ 11:30
Warren explores Durban’s flavours from the Spice Emporium to iconic Bunny Chow and spicy pineapple, all while staying at the legendary Oyster Box.
EPISODE 6: KWAZULU‑NATAL
24 May 2026 @ 11:30
Warren enjoys a Shisa Nyama feast at Max’s Lifestyle before visiting a Zulu village to learn traditional dishes like Putu pap and sautéed pumpkin leaves.
EPISODE 7: KRUGER PARK
31 May 2026 @ 11:30
At Sabi Sabi in Kruger, Warren tastes native bush foods, spots wildlife and cooks Malva pudding with Amarula custard inspired by the Marula fruit.
EPISODE 8: PILANESBERG RESERVE
7 June 2026 @ 11:30
Warren heads to Sun City for a Pilanesberg adventure, making rusks, spicy lamb skewers, corn on the cob and pumpkin fritters with brandy caramel.
EPISODE 9: NELSON MANDELA
14 June 2026 @ 11:30
In Pretoria and Johannesburg, Warren cooks Koeksisters with Chef Nonkosi and prepares two of Nelson Mandela’s favourite dishes with his former personal chef.
EPISODE 10: JOHANNESBURG
21 June 2026 @ 11:30
Warren explores Soweto by tuk‑tuk, cooks Chakalaka at Chaf Pozi and ends his journey with his take on the iconic “7 Colours” Sunday meal.
