J’Something’s recipe for success

He can sing, dance, is easy on the eye and can even cook. Is there anything Joao da Fonseca, better known as J’Something, the lead singer of Mi Casa, can’t do?

This week, he took over Craft – a Johannesburg restaurant in aid of the Foodbank. He served three courses for the day and crafted the menu, too. J’Something has been linked to various food projects, including the Good Food & Wine Show, and has given cooking classes. More recently, he hosted his own cooking show on Mzansi Magic with Something’s Cooking.

SABC3’s What’s for Dinner series turned the musician into a foodie sensation. Although the 27-year-old has his sights set on building an empire for Mi Casa and himself, his feet are firmly on the ground. Mingling with media and regular patrons at the restaurant, he managed to slip in a few minutes for an interview and one thing was clear – everyone wants a piece of the J’Something pie.

“The food was definitely inspired by my Portuguese roots and by South African culture,” he said. Each menu focused on something different, including a standout Chakalaka-base pizza with boerwors topping.

“The build-up and conceptualisation of the entire project has been the most interesting for me,” he said. J’Something worked on the breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, even opening the restaurant at 6am to ensure guests were served on time.

J’Something has also been working hard on his music with Mi Casa members Mo T and Dr Duda. They have just released their latest album, Home Sweet Home, and a single, Chocolate, which has already received major radio play. His passion for food started at home with his mother, who owned a restaurant in the Eastern Cape for 18 years.

He began experimenting at home and the dishes he served at Craft were similar to those he cooks at home, including wholewheat ricotta pancakes, a lasagne breakfast.

“I always experiment at home and wonder, should I add more cinnamon or less?” He has firmly cemented his status as a chef, confirming that his home is fitted with a wood-fire oven. “I have grown up with this food game,” he said.

Apart from “stealing Craft”– as he puts it – J’Something is working on a township tour in which he and Mi Casa intend taking their music back to their roots.