a feast FOR THE SENSES
Dianne explains that her circumstances changed after she had her two daughters, Skylar and Sabrina (now 21 and 18 respectively), and she started baking. Teaching cookery classes, and work as a food stylist and recipe developer soon followed. Before long, Dianne’s life was transformed and food was all she could think about. “For me, cooking is about fashioning food and flavours, as well as about people,” she shares.
While compiling Bibby’s Kitchen, the Johannesburg-based food maestro says she spent a great deal of time testing recipes and researching food trends. This was followed by styling, photographing, writing and editing the recipes – with everything taking two years to put together. “Bringing together a cookbook is a lengthy process... while the book needs to be authentically you and reflective of how you cook, it also has to be relevant, so rushing through the seasons wouldn’t have done it justice.”
The results of Dianne’s toil have paid off: her cookbook is any home cook’s go-to guide to aspirational yet down-to-earth food. “Bibby’s Kitchen was written with inclusivity in mind; it’s intended for anyone who loves good food with honest flavours and bold character,” the culinary guru notes.
Highlighting a strong Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influence, the recipes support a cook-from-scratch philosophy guided by seasonality and solid flavourings, from meaty meals to vegetarian and vegan fare, including wholesome soups, slow-cooked food and simple suppers.
With Easter a time for gathering friends and family
