Kasi Kitchen's Sindi Mpahlwa enjoys the support of over 2.7 million people who watch the show every Friday

WE ALL have a grandmother, neighbour or even an uncle who is known for their fine cooking... Maybe even that catering company that made your special event a real treat with their skilful cooking.

Kasi Kitchen is a community food show on Soweto TV, produced and presented by Sindi Mpahlwa. The programme gives kudos to local chefs who would otherwise never receive recognition.

"The show is about looking at catering companies and local chefs around the greater Gauteng, and occasionally other provinces too," Mpahlwa said.

The youngest cooking enthusiast on the show since it premiered three years ago was an 18-year-old.

The oldest was a 77-year-old gogo who started cooking in 1964.

Mpahlwa is not a chef herself, but assures us she knows her way around the kitchen.

"I watch a lot of cooking shows to get helpful tips and ideas for the show," she said.

The pilot episode featured only a woman chopping ingredients over a narrated voice.

"I saw a gap that needed to be filled by a presenter, but the show did not have the budget to hire one.

"One day I decided to try presenting the start and end of the show, which was well-received by the audience," Mpahlwa said.

The format includes Mpahlwa and her crew visiting cooks and chefs in their homes while they make three dishes - a starter, main course and dessert - which talks to the theme of the day.

"We have made shows from lavish houses to back rooms and shacks. People are also not confined to cooking in the kitchen as some people prefer making their meals on a braai," said Mpahlwa.

The show has grown from having only 500,000 viewers to now enjoying the support of over 2.7 million people who watch the show religiously every Friday at 6.15pm.

"One thing I have learnt throughout my shows is that recipes are just a guideline, but it is the cook who can twist and make use of what they have in their cupboard," Mpahlwa said.

The show this week made its way to Rockville in Soweto to watch Malesela Moshidi of Mackenzie Caterers cook a garden lunch menu.

Moshidi is currently doing a seven-month chef's course at the University of Johannesburg.

Moshidi had all her ingredients ready.

An avocado and plain yogurt snack for the starter, was followed by marinated rump steak with egg potatoes and a colourful salad of red and green cabbage with raisins and carrots.

The dessert was custard and vanilla yogurt sprinkled with ginger biscuits and topped with strawberries and two mint leaves.

Moshidi and her sister Girlie Hlabangane have been partners in Mackenzie Caterers since 2001.

"In this business you always need to move with the times and learn about the new methods of cooking," Moshidi added.