In an aromatic and engaging celebration on Sunday, August 31, Loot, in collaboration with Penguin Random House South Africa, hosted the book event of All Dhal’d Up by award-winning chef and food personality Kamini Pather at the stylish Watershed Workshop17, V&A Waterfront.
The event featured a captivating in-conversation session, followed by a lively book signing, drawing food enthusiasts eager to explore “Indian-ish good-mood food.”
A Fusion of Heritage and Innovation
Kamini Pather first captured national attention as the winner of MasterChef South Africa Season 2 in 2013.
Since then, she has become a multi-faceted culinary voice — a food blogger, TV presenter (notably the acclaimed Girl Eat World), nutrition and health coach, and author of the digital cookbook Eat Glocal (shortlisted for a Gourmand Award).
Alongside these achievements, she has earned accolades including Cosmopolitan Woman of the Year, Glamour Woman of the Year, and an SA Style Award.
Spotlight on All Dhal’d Up
All Dhal’d Up offers “everyday, Indian‑ish, good‑mood food” — a vibrant reimagining of ancestral recipes with modern flair. The book features approachable yet inspired dishes such as potato curry with nigella seeds, hot water roti, rasam, traditional chicken curry, alongside inventive creations like cauliflower‑rice lamb biryani, panko‑crumbed patha wraps, bacon dhal, pudhina hummus, and rosewater ice‑cream sandwiches with pistachio cookies. Designed for busy lives, Kamini focuses on simplicity, health-consciousness, and sustainability, with most recipes ready in 30–45 minutes and often prepared in one pot.
In conversation, Kamini shared that her creative journey began with food blogging and a desire to inject creativity into her life. She describes the cooking explorations in All Dhal’d Up as deeply personal—rooted in childhood memories of her mother’s fusion lunchboxes and family cooking traditions in ’90s South Africa.
In conversation, Kamini shared that her creative journey began with food blogging and a desire to inject creativity into her life.
Book Details
Title:All Dhal’d Up – Everyday, Indian-ish, Good-Mood Food
As part of the launch campaign, IOL readers receive an exclusive discount: use code PENGUIN10 at checkout on Loot.co.za to enjoy an extra 10% off your purchase of All Dhal’d Up.
Bonus reward: The first 10 customers to use this unique code will also receive a hamper package worth R300 as an added thank-you gift.
The first 10 customers to use this unique code will also receive a hamper package worth R300 as an added thank-you gift.
Acclaimed author Ilse van der Merwe officially launched her newest cookbook, Timeless South African: Celebrating 101 Iconic Dishes, published by Penguin Random House South Africa in August 2025. The launch took place at Workshop17, Watershed, at the V&A Waterfront. Timeless South African beautifully curates a selection of 101 dishes deeply woven into the South African culinary fabric—whether staples or celebratory fare, each dish stands as a testament to our nation's warmth, […]
