My Life In Recipes

In her latest offering, Fatima Sydow Cooks, the celebrated Cape Malay cook takes us on a flavour-filled journey with authentic, wholesome recipes. She's poured her heart and soul into every page – the result will give you the warm fuzzies.

- Ashleigh Roman

When I looked down at my hands busy making the next batch of bakes, they were not my hands, but my late mother’s. The tear that rolled down my cheek was not mine, but hers... I could feel her presence as if she were there to encourage me, to nudge me, to guide me, to love me and to say, “Fatima, you can do it. I know you can. I’m so proud of you.”’

‘About eight years ago, I started a Facebook page to share some of my recipes,’ Fatima Sydow says. ‘Within a few months the page had reached 30000 followers. Everyone loves Cape Malay food, you know?’

When a flood of requests began pouring in for a recipe book, Fatima decided to self-publish a collection of her recipes.

‘Without funding, and with only a two-plate mini oven and a borrowed camera, it was no simple task, but six months later The Journey of Cape Malay Cooking with Fatima Sydow was a success.’