PHOTOGRAPHS
JAN RAS
TEXT
JESS SPIRO
TABLE TALKTASTE MARCH 2020 35ingredients here, things such as fresh
broad beans and Jerusalem artichokes.
“It’s a challenge but it reminds me to work
with what I have.”
For Katlego, heading up The Marabi
Club is about more than just cooking great
food. He wants the restaurant to become
an ambassador for Johannesburg’s culinary
scene. “I can’t help but feel like it’s our duty
to restore the CBD to its former glory.” He
hopes to inspire smaller businesses around
them to do the same, and transform the
gritty CBD into a culinary destination.Andhe’sdoingthisonebiteata time.
TheMarabiClubis exactlywhatit sayson
thedoor:a jazzclubthatjusthappensto
besetwithina beautifulspace,packaged
withgreatfood.Themenuis a clevermix
oflocalandinternationalflavours,one
thatseeshumblebeeftonguesitting
happilyalongsidekimchiprawnsand
roastbrinjalandamasi. Whendescribing
hisfood,Katlegosays,“I don’teverwant
tobecomfortable,butI doneedtobe
reasonable.I justgetupeverydaywiththe
intentionofcookingthebestplateoffood.”
Onbeingthe 2019 recipientoftheEat
OutNederburgRisingStaraward,Katlego
saysthatit wasanunexpectedpatonthe
back,a validationthathe’sheadinginthe
rightdirection.
“Asa youngblackchef,andtheonly
nomineefromJoburg,winningtheaward
wasincrediblyrewarding.WhenI was
younger,I didn’tseeanyonewholooked
likemecookingatthislevel,soI hopeto
continuetoinspireyoungerKatlegostoget
intothekitchenandcook.”
Nochefgetsintocookingforthefame
orfortune,andthat’snointerestofhis,
butKatlegois certainlyenjoyingthe
positiveexposure.“Peoplehavebecomeso
interestedinourstory;theycomedownhere
saying‘Wecan’twaittotasteyourfood!’”
He’sallfireduptomakehiskitchen
thebestinthecountry,andwecan’twait
toseehimmakeit happen.themarabiclub.com“I’ve got people
here I would go to
war for; we’ve all
become like family”Clockwise from top: Katlego with chefs Lentswe Bhengu (left) and Tecla Kapinga in the kitchen; Katlego
Mlambo; the interior of The Marabi Club evokes old Johannesburg; Katlego’s African carrot dish.