Chef, Gastronomer, Researcher
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Chef, Gastronomer, Researcher *
OUR WHY
OUR how
he way we eat reflects the way we live on this planet. Yet our food system runs on a linear logic — take, make, dispose — extracting value without giving anything back.
Circular Gastronomy is a framework for chefs and decision-makers to bring circularity principles into how we think about food and how we cook.
Kitchens are one of the most under-utilised leverage points in the food system. The CG framework offers science-based tools that can be practically implemented into kitchens. It celebrates chefs as potential agents of change and works to bring care back into how we relate to food.
My work lives at the intersection of gastronomy, nutrition and sustainability science.
We are on a mission to connect with chefs, academics and entrepreneurs building toward food that re-sources both people and planet.
Research shows that our global food system is one of the leading drivers of climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Food is our most intimate connection to the planet and yet somewhere along the way, this connection got lost and is having a detrimental impact on both people and planet.
Food should have no hidden costs.
A beautiful plate of food and a regenerating ecosystem are reflections of the same idea. And yet they are out of alignment.
We need to start thinking differently about our food, to bring it back into alignment with our natural systems. Care needs to be central to how we cook. Chefs play an important role in this change, and so do you!
Food is art. Food is science. Food is a tool for transformation.
What we do
Consulting & Chef training
We work with lodges to design circular menus that celebrate indigenous, seasonal ingredients — plant-forward, nutritionally dense, and rooted in the ecology of place.
Through on-site chef training, I embed nutrition, sustainability science and circular kitchen principles into practical kitchen systems.
Private chef & gastronomy experiences
I work with high profile clients who have specific dietary requirements to provide food elevated food that is highly nourishing.
We create bespoke dining experiences that use tool for connection and to tell stories of Cape Town’s local flora and fauna.
Food systems research
We work with scientists and academic institutions to align our offerings with food systems science. We are currently developing research around a Circular Gastronomy Framework to create practical science-based tools that leverage kitchens as a valuable node for food systems transformation.
what we’ve been up to
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what we’ve been up to *
Sashwa, River of Stars Lodge
We assisted with designing a plant-based menu for the lodge upon it opening in 2024. We developed a training program for the chefs. This included a 10 day program providing industry chefs with holistic nutrition and sustainability science to frame their approach to the food they served. The menu focused on providing an elevated dining experience that showcased food as medicine and food.
Sashwa, River of Stars Logo
We consulted with the City to roll out their ‘Good For You’ healthy food guidelines. We designed a training program to work with the food traders in the Civic Centre to integrate the guidelines onto the menus they provide for businesses in the building. We worked with the traders to understand the adjustments required to align with these guidelines as well as cater for the launch event. The traders catered for 300 pax and showcased their new health options.
City of Cape Town ‘Good for you’ guidelines
City of Cape Town Logo here
“Since we started OCEAN TRAVEL in 2016 we have been working with Arabella. We run high-end sustainable travel experiences in remote places from islands in the South Pacific to Madagascar,Mozambique and Mexico. Her level of expertise, quality of the menus she designs and her professionalism are of the highest quality. With a passion for plant-forward, nourishing food and a dedication to sustainability she offers a unique experience where her creativity and execution of food mirrors our devotion to curating high-end sustainable tourism experiences.”
Hanli Prinsloo, I AM WATER OCEAN TRAVEL
i am water foundation
I Am Water Logo here