Zola Nene Teaches Gordon Ramsay Traditional SA Cooking in New Series
We’re all used to seeing Chef Gordon Ramsay cooking on TV, but you’ve never seen him quite like this before. The celebrity chef has made a name for himself as an expert in his field, and over the years we’ve seen him berate wannabee chefs and school overwhelmed restaurant owners in hit TV series like Hells Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares respectively. But, now National Geographic is once again putting Ramsay in the hot seat with the second season of its popular series, Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted.
While we love seeing Ramsay show off as an expert, we also love seeing him as the fish out of water and that’s exactly why the Uncharted series is so brilliant. Rather than show us yet another cooking show with Ramsay showing off his years of experience, this exciting series gives Ramsay and the audience a chance to learn something new.
If you loved the first series, you’ll be delighted to hear that Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted season two is coming to South African screen this August. Missed it the first time around? The great news is, you don’t have to have watched the first season to enjoy this new batch of episodes. Even better news? The first episode of the new season finds Ramsay in South Africa cooking with much loved local chef, Zola Nene!
The second season of Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, premieres on 26 August at 21:00 CAT on National Geographic (DStv 181). The season kicks off with Ramsay cooking in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa accompanied by Chef Zola Nene as she teaches him the art of isiZulu cooking.
In the series that emphasizes creating authentic local flavours, the first episode sees Zola and Ramsay cook up a culinary feast for a local isiZulu chief. Their creations included fish on the braai, ushatini (tomato & onion salsa), ujeqe (traditional bread), chakalaka and pap and steak on the braai.
“The main features of isiZulu cuisine are simplicity, beef (we are traditionally cattle farmers after all) and maize, in all forms – samp, pap and umbila (meilies on the cob)” explains Nene. “I am a proud Zulu girl so of course, I’m always excited to share my culture, heritage and cuisine with people” she added.
When asked about her experience with Ramsay, Nene explains “My first impression was, wow, he’s really tall! He was so lovely and warm when we met for the first time, really personable and engaging. Gordon was incredible to work with and cook with. We had such fun filming, cooking and eating. Cooking for the Chief was also an amazing experience, such an honour to cook for such a revered member of the community”.
After the South African episode. the multi-Michelin-star chef continues his adventure across the globe, turning up the heat in Indonesia, Louisiana, Norway, India, Tasmania, and Guyana.
“We are exploring seven new regions this season, each with vastly different culinary customs and history,” said Ramsay. “We get the opportunity to learn from the locals and hear their stories, and that gives us a much deeper experience and understanding of the world around us.”
In this new season, Ramsay journeys deep into the landscape of each place he visits, scaling mountains, battling 3-metre waves, braving frigid temperatures and bushwhacking his way through the backcountry to forage for some of the finest ingredients in the world. From swimming in great white shark-infested waters to participating in a traditional bull run, Ramsay risks life and limb in his biggest and boldest missions yet in order to achieve edible excellence.
Under the guidance of local experts and food legends he meets along the way, Ramsay partakes in culinary customs and learns about delicious delicacies and fresh flavours unique to each region. Every ingredient he harvests, dish he tastes, and person he meets will inspire him to create a recipe from scratch, intended to represent the heart of that culture. Each episode concludes with Ramsay challenging himself during a final big cookout with a local food legend by his side, as they prepare a meal together for locals he met during his journey.
Catch Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted season 2 from Wednesday 26 August at 21:00 CAT on DSTV: Channel 181.
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