Justin Bonello

Hey there, I’m Justin Bonello, a 43-year-old filmmaker, TV presenter, and chef. Let’s talk about some of the things that make life in Cape Town awesome for me. The best part is that nature is right on my doorstep! I’ve got the Atlantic and Indian Oceans surrounding me, along with the breathtaking mountains. Seriously, this city is a stunner!

Now, when my out-of-town friends visit, I make sure to show them the best of the best. We head to the stunning winelands for a lovely picnic lunch. We hike up and down the mountains, hit the beach, and swing by Witsand to gather some delicious mussels on our way to Scarborough. If we’re in the mood, we check out Mzoli’s in Gugs or one of the city’s vibrant farmers’ markets. The natural beauty of this place makes it a breeze to have an incredible time.

Choosing my favorite restaurant is always a tough decision for me, but there are two that I absolutely love. The first one is Overture, located in Stellenbosch on Hidden Valley Wine Estate. It’s owned by my good friend Bertus Basson, and I can always count on him to delight my taste buds. Now he’s even incorporating some amazing braai-inspired dishes into his menu. The second one is The Foodbarn – I can never resist going there. Whether it’s for tapas with Pete and Kim or indulging in Franck Dangereux’s delicious à la carte menu, every visit is a treat.

There’s another restaurant that holds a special place in my heart: Magica Roma in Pinelands. The food there is absolutely incredible, and I’ve also formed a great bond with Franco and Ezio, the owners. Running a restaurant for over 20 years in Cape Town, South Africa, or anywhere else in the world is no easy feat – it takes something truly exceptional. If you ever get the chance, I highly recommend trying their spaghetti vongole – it’s incredible!

I also enjoy dining at Societi Bistro. Chef Stefan Marais creates delicious yet uncomplicated dishes that never fail to satisfy my taste buds.

I can’t wait to try out The Hog House – They haven’t opened yet, but I’m excited to try the culinary creations of chef PJ Vadas (formerly from Camphors at Vergelegen).

One annual Cape Town event I always make sure to attend is the potjiekos cook-off in Noordhoek Village. Unfortunately, I won’t be participating this year because I’ll be at a braai festival in Riversdale, where I hope to support my chosen charity and help them secure a car.

Twitter? These days, I’m gradually distancing myself from all social media. I’m feeling overwhelmed by excessive stimulation – there’s just an overload of unnecessary noise. It’s difficult for me to handle the constant stream of information flooding in every day.

My all-time favourite TV show is Utopia. I mean, let me tell you, a few months back, Game of Thrones was the bomb! But, boy oh boy, have I seen my fair share of cringe-worthy television. Have you ever stumbled upon those “child star dancers and their mothers” shows? Like seriously, who comes up with this stuff?

And let me tell you, my ultimate weekend getaway has remained the same for a solid two decades – the Breede River. I’m telling you, it’s like my personal sanctuary, just a short two-and-a-half hour drive from Cape Town. Whenever I need to recharge and clear my mind, that’s where I venture off to.

One thing I’ve always wanted to do is see a movie with my wife at the cinema. It’s been so long since I’ve had a chance to go to a movie theater because I have a baby, a toddler, and a teenager. Going on a “date night” to watch a film is at the top of our list of things to do when we can find the time. Another experience I’d love to have is skiing in the beautiful mountains near Cape Town. Besides that, I feel like I’ve checked off everything I wanted to do in the Cape.

When it comes to my favorite coffee spot, I have to say it’s the Empire Café just around the corner from where I live. What makes it special is that it’s owned and operated by a real person, Dave Jones, rather than some big company. I love supporting local businesses like that.

Wow, Cape Town has some incredible walking trails! Living in Noordhoek means I have countless options to choose from. I can hike up into Silvermine, take a stroll over to Hout Bay, or even explore the beauty of Constantia. Of course, I can always just enjoy a leisurely walk along the stunning Noordhoek Beach with my furry friends. I feel incredibly fortunate to have all of these choices.

When it comes to treating myself to a special occasion, a glass of Roodeberg red wine hits the spot perfectly. Its rich flavor and elegance make any celebration even more memorable.

Right now, I’m diving into Michael Pollan’s book, “Cooked,” and I’m absolutely captivated by it. It’s amazing to think that our human development can be tied to our unique ability to cook food that other animals couldn’t access. It’s a reminder of why we’re so fascinated by fire and its transformative powers.

I’m really busy working on multiple shows right now. We’re currently creating some new shows called Beer Country, Surfs Cooking, Ultimate Braai Master Season 4, Greentown, and Leopard 350. These shows mean a lot to me, and I’m excited to be a part of them.

Sundays are always a bittersweet day for me. It’s the last day of the weekend, and I can’t help but think about how quickly it flies by. I like to spend my Sundays watching Carte Blanche and whatever movie comes after. It’s a chance for me to relax and reflect on the weekend, but it’s also a reminder that it’ll be another 120 hours until the next one.

Money is a necessary part of life, although I sometimes wish it wasn’t. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just go back to the old barter system and trade goods and services instead?

Right after this, I’m heading home to hang out with my kids. The problem with our current lifestyle is that I only get to be a dad for a few hours each evening during the week. Because of this, I try to make the most out of our time together on the weekends.

When I wake up in the middle of the night, it’s usually because my mind is preoccupied with the things on my to-do list that I haven’t completed yet. To deal with this, I’ve found that writing them down or taking care of them immediately helps me go back to sleep.

One day, I hope to have my own piece of land far away from the city where I can provide for my family and have a minimal impact on the environment.

Make sure to check out the exciting projects that Justin and his team are working on at cookedinafrica.com!