Growing your own food is the way forward

SECUNDA – Celebrity Chef, self taught foodie-genius and the Robertsons Spice Guy spent the weekend in Secunda as part of a fundraising initiative by Hoërskool Secunda.

The school is raising funds to build a cafeteria on their school premises and with Reuben’s involvement in various youth feeding schemes, he seemed like the perfect celebrity match for this initiative.

Working in conjunction with the new Secunda Superspar in Horwood Street, Chef Reuben hit the town on Friday morning, 2 September and embarked on a whirlwind weekend of cooking, chatting and teaching.

He began at the new Secunda Superspar, where he took his time to select the various ingredients he would need for his two scheduled sessions.

It was there that the Ridge Times had caught up with him and over a double espresso, Chef Reuben discussed his hopes for the youth of this country, the food industry (from farm to table) and Franschoek, his hometown.

Growing up, Chef Reuben was intimately aware of the problem of youth nutrition and the importance of youth feeding schemes.

“I grew up with a very healthy view of food and where it comes from.

“We were privileged enough to have our own vegetable garden and our own chickens and we even baked our own bread.

“However, there are many children who do not have this privilege.

“Some kids go to school and try to concentrate, but did not have breakfast. ”

Through his work in the restaurant industry and his concern for these children, he became involved in the Peninsula School Feeding Association and has been a dedicated advocate for this cause.

Chef Reuben also believes in the power of nature.

“I grew up with a vegetable garden and am now fortunate enough to have a father-in-law with green thumbs – the joy of planting a seedling or seed, nurturing it, and seeing it grow is one of the best feelings.

“I believe that growing some of your own food is good for the soul.”

By implementing vegetable gardens at schools, Chef Reuben believes the youth can become more aware of the benefits of good nutrition and understand where their food comes from.

“I cannot fix the whole world, but if I can convince one or two people to begin their own veggie gardens, it is making a difference.

“You do not need a large piece of earth, just a patch of land, plant some seeds and begin with something simple.

“Then witness the wonder of nature.”

In his own garden, Chef Reuben has moved away from these basics and enjoys experimenting.

“At the moment we are growing oyster leaves which are small green leaves with the most incredible taste of fresh oysters.”

Chef Reuben likes the idea of restaurants and convenience stores having their own “kitchen gardens” and laughed out loud at the thought of a well-known fast food store cultivating a roof garden to supply its own burger condiments.

“The public has become aware of the importance of healthy eating and restaurants can no longer get away with serving over processed nutritionless cardboard.”

His dream project is to have a seed-patch/grow-off type of competition where local people receive the tools and guidance to compete in the growing of certain types of vegetables for the restaurants and stores in their areas.

“Imagine if you were the ‘tomato guy’ for your local grocery store?”

For now though, Chef Reuben is focusing on being an involved family man and he delights in cooking for his loved ones.

“When we want to treat ourselves, I usually make fish and chips from scratch.”

Chef Reuben loves to travel and finds inspiration in the world around him.

“Creativity is not just about sitting and thinking, experience and new adventures breed creativity.

“Don’t just break the classic rules, but don’t be afraid of experimenting.”

The new Secunda Superspar hosted Reuben on the Grill on Friday evening and sponsored the Due Din-Din Fine Dining event on Saturday, along with Hoërskool Secunda as part of their continued initiative to give back to the community.

Over the coming months the new Secunda Superspar in conjunction with the Fivestar Superspar has identified various deserving charities that will enjoy their support.