POLOKWANE – Of course, it is always the hope of a diner that a gorgeously presented plate of food tastes as wonderful as it looks.
The owners of Side Dish African Cuisine in Seshego Zone 2, Kgalalelo and Isiah Galane, say the food business is about more than just serving customers. “Food is about elegance and presentation.”
The couple shares more about their passion, and both say they are perfectionists when it comes to food as they aim to please other food lovers.
Kgalalelo says they are one of a few around Polokwane who go all out to make traditional food even more appealing by giving it “a touch of class and elegance”.
Their menu includes potjiekos, mogodu, pork tongue, mašotša (mopane worms), chicken hard body, pork trotters and ribs. The menu changes daily as they want to give customers a variety of choices.
Kgalalelo says all meals are served with vegetables and salads, as well as a starch like samp, dumplings, pap or rice.
The restaurant opens at 09:00 and closes at 20:00, but on occasions such as a comedy night and Sunday sessions they close at 02:00.
They cater for over a 100 people daily and as the head chef, Kgalalelo, says she has to make sure there is enough food.
“I was an only child so I learnt to cook at a very young age. It was one of the chores I enjoyed doing with my mother. As an adult I decided to venture into the food business as a caterer.” She says Side Dish was born in 2014 and today employs 10 people.
Isiah says the restaurant offers its customers a relaxed environment as they enjoy their food. “Our resident deejay lightens the mood by playing R&B, soul, and house music depending on the time of the day.”
He says they are doing exceptionally well and will be venturing into franchising Side Dish soon. “We attract not only local customers but those from out of town too, so our food is in demand and clearly it will be a good idea to branch out.”
He says one of their goals is to have their own signatory beverage, but for now Side Dish bottled water is available.
Like any other business they also face challenges such not meeting the demands of their customers. “Because the menu changes daily, sometimes they request what we don’t have on the day.” Side Dish also offers free delivery in and around Polokwane.
