Whether you’re into braai flames, family dinners, nostalgic South
African flavours, or health-conscious meals that don’t skimp on taste,
2025’s cookbook line-up has you covered. From Karl Tessendorf’s
indulgent comfort food to Jamie Oliver’s energising health fare and
Jan Braai’s latest for budding young cooks, this year’s offerings span
the full spectrum of how we love to eat. With bold voices like Ilse van
der Merwe, Sarah Graham, Nicci Robertson and Sifo returning with
fresh inspiration – and newcomers like Lila Lerie making a splash
– it’s a year of joyful, flavourful cooking made to be shared.
JULY
The Good Stuff
by Karl Tessendorf
In The Good Stuff, self-taught recipe developer Karl Tessendorf serves up over 80 mouthwatering comfort food recipes – from pastas and roasts to bakes and scrummy sides. With his signature flair and flavour, Karl reinvents the classics while encouraging you to improvise, share, and savour each dish with loved ones. More than just a cookbook, it’s a celebration of connection, conversation, and the joy of eating together.
Karl Tessendorf is a writer, recipe developer and social-media content developer from Cape Town. He’s a self-taught cook and the co-author of three other best-selling cookbooks, Beer Country’s Beer Food Fire, Beer Country’s Pots, Pans and Potjies, and Beer Country’s Blackouts & Boerewors, all published by Penguin. The Good Stuff is his first kitchen-based cookbook.
Follow on Instagram: @beercountrysa
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AUGUST
Timeless South African
by Ilse van der Merwe
In Timeless South African, Ilse van der Merwe celebrates 101 iconic local dishes – from vetkoek to bunny chow – with fascinating stories, cultural insights and striking photography. This beautifully researched cookbook honours South Africa’s diverse culinary heritage, exploring how everyday favourites and festive classics have evolved across communities. A delicious tribute to the power of food to connect, unite and tell the story of a nation.
Ilse van der Merwe is a renowned Cape Town-based food writer, stylist, content creator, and TV presenter. She’s the author of Cape Mediterranean, Simply Seasonal, and Easy Al Fresco, all published by Penguin Random House South Africa. Her debut won a bronze medal at the 2020 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Ilse has hosted two TV series and frequently appears on local food shows.
Follow on Instagram: @the_foodfox
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Simple Suppers
by Sarah Graham
Simple Suppers is your go-to guide for fuss-free, family-friendly meals. With easy, seasonal recipes that use minimal ingredients and prep, it transforms pantry staples into tasty, nutritious dishes. From quick weeknight dinners to one-pot wonders and slow-cooked favourites, this cookbook takes the stress out of cooking. Whether you're feeding picky eaters or batch cooking for the week, it’s packed with comforting, wholesome meals for every season.
Sarah Graham, originally from Zimbabwe, now lives with her family in Noordhoek, near Cape Town. A passionate foodie, she began her blog A Foodie Lives Here in 2010, leading to a successful career as a cookbook author and SAFTA-winning cooking show host. Her TV series Sarah Graham’s Food Safari has aired in over 40 countries. Simple Suppers is her seventh cookbook, focused on easy, wholesome meals.
Follow on Instagram: @sarahgrahamfood
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Jan Braai Junior: In the Kitchen
by Jan Braai
Jan Braai Junior: In the Kitchen is a fun, step-by-step cookbook designed to help kids cook with confidence. With easy recipes, budget-friendly ingredients, and Jan Braai’s expert tips, it teaches essential kitchen skills using basic tools. Perfect for young cooks and families alike, this book sets the next generation on the path to creating delicious meals and becoming champions in the kitchen for life. Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans.
For 20 years, Jan has led the National Braai Day movement, uniting South Africans around fires every Heritage Day. He holds an MBA from UCT and a “Masters in Braai” from life. Author of nine bestselling cookbooks and host of Jan Braai vir Erfenis, now in its 15th season, he’s also a keen sportsman – and exactly the kind of guy you’d want teaching your kids to cook.
Follow on Instagram: @janbraai
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SEPTEMBER
Eat Yourself Healthy
Jamie Oliver
Kickstart your good life with Jamie’s first healthy-eating cookbook, packed with 120 easy, delicious recipes that energise, nourish, and satisfy. It’s all about more – more taste, more joy, more vitality. With a 2-week meal plan and 50 practical health hacks, this book makes healthy choices simple and sustainable. Jamie’s approach is generous, joyful, and so tasty you’ll want to keep coming back for more.
Jamie Oliver is a global phenomenon in food and campaigning. Over a quarter century television and publishing career he has inspired millions of people to enjoy cooking from scratch and eating fresh, delicious food. His shows are watched by millions and he has sold over 50 million books worldwide. Jamie lives in Essex with his wife Jools and their children.
Follow on Instagram: @jamieoliver
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Mind, Body and Soul Food
by Nicci Robertson
Nicci Robertson explores why diets don’t work and reveals how real, homemade food is the key to lasting health. This inspiring book unpacks how food nourishes mind, body, and soul – without deprivation or fads. It also debunks popular diet myths and empowers readers to create a personalised, sustainable way of eating. Featuring over 80 delicious, nutrient-rich recipes, it’s a guide to living well and enjoying food with intention and joy.
Nicci Robertson believes that good health is the key to happiness and personal success. As the founder of Re-Invent Health, producer of her own podcast, resident nutritionist for Real Health on DSTv’s The Home Channel and author of Thrive, she embodies her principles. A clinical nutritionist, trained in neurolinguistic programming and functional medicine, Nicci is known for her pragmatic and forthright approach, which has resulted in successful outcomes for many of her clients.
Follow on Instagram: @nicci.robertson
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Sifo the Cooking Husband Vol. 2
by Sinoyolo Sifo
Sifo The Cooking Husband is back with over 80 vibrant, easy-to-follow recipes in his second cookbook. With his signature warmth and encouragement, Sifo continues to break stereotypes and inspire more men to cook. From hearty breakfasts and comforting lunches to vegetarian dishes, sweet treats, and cocktails, there’s something for everyone – whether you're a beginner or seasoned foodie, or just craving a taste of home and family connection.
Sinoyolo Sifo, aka The Cooking Husband, is a pharmacist, award-winning cookbook author, and self-taught home cook. Inspired by his parents in Mthatha, he began sharing his hearty, easy meals on Instagram in 2020. Today, he boasts a growing following, brand collaborations, and accolades including DStv Content Creator of the Year, Foodie of the Year, and the Galliova Egg Hero award – all while celebrating his passion for food.
Follow on Instagram: @sifo_the_cooking_husband
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OCTOBER
The Big Tasty Bite
by Lila Lerie
For Lila Lerie, cooking is a joyful, creative escape – never limited by budget, time, or skill. The Big Tasty Bite is her playful collection of easy, tasty recipes designed to inspire experimentation. From leftover breakfasts to crispy fried chicken and inventive desserts, this book invites both new and seasoned cooks to enjoy the process, take risks, and share delicious moments, one big, tasty bite at a time.
Lila Lerie is the founder of The Big Tasty Bite, one of South Africa’s most popular food blogs. Having worked in the industry for several years, she began sharing her love for food on social media in 2020. The pandemic gave her the opportunity to go into content creation full-time and she spent the next two years building her brand. In 2022, she broke the invisible seal and went viral. Since then, The Big Tasty Bite has made significant waves in South Africa’s culinary scene and beyond.
Follow on Instagram: @thebigtastybite
JAN Voyage
by Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen blends French finesse with South African soul, crafting dishes that are both elegant and nostalgic. Growing up on a farm in Mpumalanga, he draws from childhood memories – like mealiepap with tomato-onion relish – and elevates them with fine-dining flair. At his Michelin-starred restaurant in Nice, he reimagines local classics, pairing vetkoek with pâté or infusing panna cotta with mealiepap, creating food that's heartfelt, inventive, and unmistakably his own.
After completing an Advanced Diploma in Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch, Jan Hendrik furthered his studies with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Design and Photography. He worked as a contributing food editor for ELLE magazine in South Africa and Paris before relocating to Nice to open his own restaurant called JAN. Since its humble beginnings in 2013, JAN has garnered a reputation as one of the top restaurants in the south of France.
Follow on Instagram: @janhendrikvanderwesthuizen
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NOVEMBER
Upwards
by Karen Dudley
Karen Dudley’s cooking is all about warmth, generosity, and bringing people together. Her food celebrates fresh, seasonal ingredients – especially vegetables – and layers them with bold flavours and clever condiments. She’s known for creating dishes that are both wholesome and indulgent, often inspired by her time at The Kitchen in Cape Town. Whether it’s a vibrant salad or a comforting main, her recipes invite you to slow down, share, and savour the moment
Karen Dudley is a South African chef, food writer, and former owner of Cape Town’s iconic restaurant The Kitchen, once visited by Michelle Obama. Her journey into food spans cities and cultures, from Washington DC to Woodstock. Since closing The Kitchen in 2020, she’s focused on developing vegetable-forward menus, working in TV, judging food awards, and writing about food – and life – with her trademark warmth and insight.
Follow on Instagram: @capetownk
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Herman se Tafel
by Herman Lensing
Herman Lensing’s cooking style is all about comfort, nostalgia, and bringing people together. He draws inspiration from South Africa’s rich food traditions, keeping things simple and down-to-earth. His recipes are easy to follow and full of heart – think family favourites, hearty breakfasts, and warm, fuss-free meals. With a strong focus on local ingredients and personal stories, his food feels like a hug from home.
Herman Lensing, originally from Upington, trained as a chef at the Institute of Culinary Arts and became Sarie magazine’s food editor at 22. He’s the editor of Sarie kos and a familiar face on VIA TV with shows like Dit proe soos huis and Herman se kortpaaie. A Galliova and SAFTA award winner, he’s also appeared on stage at major Afrikaans arts festivals.
Follow on Instagram: @lensingherman
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Your Health Starts in Your Gut
by Mpho Tshukudu
Your Health Starts in Your Gut is a revolutionary, holistic guide revealing how gut health shapes overall wellness. It explores scientific links between gut health and diseases like digestive issues, autoimmune disorders, and mental health. Featuring a practical 10-day meal plan, easy recipes with indigenous African ingredients, and a unique ‘plant points’ system, it empowers you to nurture your gut through diet, sleep, stress management, and movement for lasting vitality.
Mpho Tshukudu is a registered dietitian specialising in integrative and functional nutrition. She promotes health through food, stress management, sleep, and exercise. Holding a Master’s in Food Culture, Communication, and Marketing from Italy’s University of Gastronomic Sciences, Mpho connects traditional African foods with modern nutrition science. Her book Eat Ting (2016), co-authored with Dr. Anna Trapido, won South Africa’s Gourmand World Cookbook Award for Health and Nutrition.
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