Cape Town-based chef Dion Vengatass was cast into the culinary spotlight after winning the 2011 Unilever Food Solutions Chef of the Year competition. This humble and down-to-earth chef learnt the tricks of the trade at the Swiss Hotel School, where he studied management, but his love and passion lies with cooking. Drawing inspiration from nature and his surroundings, Dion’s cooking talent landed him the position of resident chef at Cape Town’s illustrious Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel.

You might know him as heartthrob Marcus Forrester on American soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. Beyond his character, actor and philanthropist Texas Battle is down-to-earth and extremely humble. He has made South Africa his second home since 2013. The actor’s love for helping the less fortunate has his heart glued to Cape Town, where he founded the Texas Battle Foundation. 

The legendary tale of Cape Town’s most famous great dane

This Cape Town-born actress is no stranger to the spotlight and is most well-known for her starring role as Ayesha Ibrahim in the SABC 1 youth drama television series, Amaza. 2016 Top Actor Africa finalist, Shamilla Miller is a force to be reckoned with and a true proudly Capetonian star.

Fun-loving foodie and Chef Claire Allen is a face you won’t be forgetting. You probably already recognise her from M-Net’s MasterChef South Africa, where Claire was a season three top 12 contestant, or from her blog Food is Love, where she shares mouth-watering recipes. Claire also cooks alongside Sipho Mdlankomo and this entertaining cooking duo is known as ‘Short Chef Skinny Chef’. Known as ‘The Foodie in Love’, Claire’s outlook is as simple as her blog name: To her food is, essentially, love and she has taken the time to participate in our 10 Questions Project, showcasing her warm-loving personality.

You might recognise this pretty face from Glamour Magazine, where Aisha Baker was one of the 2016 winners for Most Glamourous. Her blog ‘Baked The Blog’, which she started as her personal escape whilst studying at university, has rapidly become a top ranking one-stop spot for everything from the latest fashion looks to make-up tutorials. Aisha recently travelled to Los Angeles for the 2016 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, where she was nominated in the category of Favourite African Blogger.

Drawing from his rich cultural and musical background, this legendary pianist has both a strong reputation as a solo performer and band leader and is one of the greatest names in the African jazz biz. Well-known for his charming piano improvisations and unique compositions, Mervyn’s influences range from classic and carnival music through to township jazz and Malay musical heritage.

This Cape Town-based private chef has cooked for the likes of Madonna, Victoria Beckham, Elton John and U2, to name but a few well-known celebs. Trained in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, Zimbabwe-born Neill now gets invited to cook in the homes of local celebrities, socialites and friends and family transforming their dinner experiences into exclusive dining extravaganzas. He also has his own TV show; Private Chef, which is broadcast both nationally and internationally on the Food Network channel.

Good Hope FM presenter of the Nigel Pierce Show, this well-known Cape Town radio personality is a bit of a fitness freak, has a deep love for travelling and is an avid sports-fanatic in his spare time.

Cape Town hip-hop vocalist Natasha Olckers, otherwise known as ‘Tashna B’, caught the attention of Heart FM with her song titled ‘No More Running’. Born and raised in Atlantis, Western Cape, this up-and-coming female songstress has worked with other local talented musicians such as Jody Williams and Emo Adams and is set to win South Africans hearts.

You’ll recognise these five faces from the popular reality television series SA’s Got Talent, where Brent, Herschel, Junaid, Niyaaz and Faeez were semi-finalists. Having met in high school, friendship wasn’t the only thing that blossomed between these talented Capetonians and their shared passion for music led to the formation of their band, Confidential SA.

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Lead singer Steven McKellar, together with his brother Andrew McKellar on guitar, Richard Wouters on drums and Kevin Dailey on keys and guitar form the much-loved internationally recognised band, Civil Twilight. Currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee, the Cape Town-origin group is living proof of what happens when one lets go of the aspiration to be the chosen one and creates music built on both the roots that grew you and the love that keeps you thriving every day. 

Established as one of the most creative players in the South African entertainment industry, this multi-award winning stand-up comedian – he is also a theatre director, producer, actor, playwright and MC – certainly knows how to captivate audiences far and wide.  

Changeling’s siblings, Noah and Ruby Swinney have collaborated with Heroine’s Roxy Caroline to form the South African psychedelic rock band The Psalms. Changeling and Heroine are two already established Cape Town-based underground bands. In March 2016 The Psalms released their debut EP titled Your Karma Reversed Over My Dogma. Cape Town musician Noah Swinney takes the time to answer our 10 Questions Project.

Meet Ultimate Braai Master Season 4 winner, John Grundlingh. Together with his braai partner Piet Marais they formed the winning team Weskus Annas and took home the Ultimate Braai Master title in 2015. 

This Toronto-born, Cape Town-based artist specialises in painting urban landscapes in oil on gesso with a limited palette of between three and five colours. He expertly builds up layers by rubbing paint away and laying it back on to create depth and rich colour. Thomas’ work is held in collections across the globe including in Cape Town, New York, London, Toronto and Mexico City.

This Cape Town chef and food stylist is renowned for the culinary skills she showcases on the popular SABC3 Expresso ‘Feel Good Breakfast Show’ every weekday morning. Zola released her debut cookbook Simply Delicious in February 2016 as another means of sharing her passion for food and cooking.

Good Hope FM radio presenter, Expresso Morning Show host, actress and model, Leigh-Anne Williams does it all and is fast becoming a rising star in the South African entertainment industry. She was even runner-up of SABC3’s Strictly Come Dancing South Africa Season 8. 

Justin Bonello is a filmmaker, presenter, author and cook, not to mention also the Head of Production at one of South Africa’s leading film production companies, Cooked in Africa Films. Cooked in Africa has produced over 21 television series across various national and international broadcasters including South Africa’s first original reality-based television cooking formatted series, Ultimate Braai Master. Other shows include Charly’s Cake Angels, Global Wheeling, Around Iceland on Inspiration, Beer Country and Surfs Cooking to name but a few.