COOKING up a classic

Colette Maclennan's debut cookbook, Dressed & Seasoned, distils a decade of The General Store's unfussy brilliance — food for friends, family and anyone who loves to eat well

- text HEIDI BERTISH

It’s not every day that a cookbook feels like an act of generosity.

But Dressed & Seasoned, the debut from Colette Maclennan — chef-owner of Cape Town's beloved café, The General Store — offers precisely that. Released in celebration of the café’s 10th anniversary, it’s far more than a recipe collection — it’s a paean to a decade of artistry, community and very good food.

The General Store, at the base of Cape Town's Bree Street, has long been one of the city’s best-kept secrets — although any lunchtime queue would argue otherwise. Its faithful following has been drawn not just by the food, but by the warmth and heart of the women behind the counter. This same spirit courses through the pages of Dressed & Seasoned.