HE'S A WORLD-RENOWNED CHEF, AUTHOR AND FOOD PRACTITIONER, SO IT'S SAFE TO SAY THAT SCOTT PARKER HAS SELF-ACTUALISED - NOT NECESSARILY IN THE SPIRITUAL SENSE, BUT SOMEWHERE QUITE CLOSE.
"I've been in food for 20 years, I've lived the Michelin life, been lucky enough to have cooked all over the world and achieved many of the things I set out to do. But the work I am doing now gives me the most joy and fulfilment."
From outside, the Woolworths home base on Longmarket Street in Cape Town has an austerity that may have onlookers believing nothing but work goes on there. But, on the fifth floor, the food department is pushing more than just paper. Enter the Culinary Innovation Centre, where some of South Africa's best-loved Woolies snacks, prepared meals and breads are developed, tested and approved. And, as the Woolworths culinary innovation manager, Scott is one of the talented people at the helm of this massive division. After years spent working abroad, Scott was hired as a Woolworths product development manager in the prepared, bakery and frozen foods department. In 2020, the space underwent a massive change, which meant that it would go on to serve a higher purpose. "Covid had hit hard and there was a lot less to do in the kitchen. We weren't really able to work, which is where the opportunity to start a feeding scheme presented itself."
Scott and his team got down to the business of transforming the space - already pretty impressive by global standards into a kitchen that gives back. "Many people lost their income during the pandemic, and we had the resources to produce food on a substantial scale and feed many mouths."
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2022-Ausgabe von Woolworths TASTE.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der July/August 2022-Ausgabe von Woolworths TASTE.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Award-winning Food: Trending Plates
Fine-dining takes on both nostalgic and African ingredients - from Cremora and polony (yes!) to okra and beetroot - were food trends singled out by the judges of the 2022 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards.
Everything you need to know about quinoa
If it was good enough to sustain the Incan armies - and NASA's astronauts - you'd better believe this protein-rich seed will see you through your afternoon slump.
PIGS IN BLANKETS
The kids will love these quick-and-easy snacks that won't break the (piggy) bank.
MEET ME AT THE RIVER
Plan a visit to the new Mukwa River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi to experience Zambian food with a twist, courtesy of head cook Aaron Menezes and four passionate members of his kitchen team.
FIRE STARTER
Celeb TV chef Clem Pedro - of Afternoon Express and Expresso fame takes the art of hosting to pro level and not because he went to hotel school or worked for TASTE, but because he started in his mom's kitchen. We asked him to share his food nerd roots and family braai secrets.
Morogo magic
Budget-friendly indigenous leafy greens - fresh, sautéed or preserved for later use are on Mokgadi Itsweng's menu at this time of year.
At your service
While judging for the Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards 2022, Anna Trapido gained respect for the X-factor that an excellent waiter brings to the dining experience.
Don't be chicken
An inexpensive dish of chicken and rice, inspired by the famous New York street food, reminds Sam Woulidge of the importance of trying something new and to keep nagging her son to do the same.
Dinner PLANS
Get your taco fix for breakfast (chilaquiles!), in a lunchbox (enchilada leftovers!) or supper any night of the week with Abigail Donnelly's build-your-own recipes.
The last touch
A parting gift from friends who had become like family, these jam-filled cupcakes remind Sam Woulidge of the trans-continental bond that will last forever