The Good Life Show, Johannesburg: A Live Chef Line-up Like No Other

Get ready for a feast of flavour, innovation and storytelling as the Good Life Show comes to Johannesburg. Taking place at the Kyalami International Convention Centre from 1–3 August 2025, this unmissable event presents a live chef line-up that is bold, diverse and deliciously inspiring. From plant-based pioneers to indigenous ingredient champions, and Michelin-trained innovators to MasterChef winners, culinary brilliance comes to life with every demonstration.

Visitors can meet some big-name local and international chefs and discover products and services.

Meet the Culinary Stars

Absalom Kotsokoane

Indigenous culinary visionary and founder of Happy Spoon, chef Absalom is on a mission to prove that traditional African ingredients belong at the forefront of fine dining, and he is doing it with elegance, confidence and community spirit. With over 15 years of experience and accolades including ‘SA Chef of the Year Plant-Based Runner-Up’ and the ‘Food Hero Award’ from the Restaurant Association of South Africa, Absalom’s food celebrates culture while embracing modern gastronomy.

Bridget Mangwandi

MasterChef SA winner and culinary science pioneer Bridget Mangwandi is not just a chef; she is a phenomenon. Crowned the youngest-ever and first black female MasterChef SA winner in 2024, this culinary prodigy is pioneering a future where food is rooted in heritage, guided by science and powered by purpose. A self-starting kitchen innovator, Bridget is the founder of BeiCuisine and a food scientist-in-training who blends bold African flavours with a contemporary global flair.

Jameson Stocks

British Michelin-starred celebrity chef Jameson Stocks is renowned for his creative cooking flair and approach to mindful eating. He quickly established himself as one of the brightest culinary talents in the world. While he blends traditional techniques with modern flavours, his cuisine is a celebration of locally sourced, organic ingredients. Beyond his technical expertise in the kitchen, Jameson’s engaging personality and passion for living well have made him a favourite among food enthusiasts and television viewers alike. He is a beloved TV personality, known for his approachable, down-to-earth style and an innate ability to inspire audiences.

Jo Richter

Eat Out Award-winning chef and co-founder and head chef of The LivingRoom, chef Jo Richter is a German-born, South African-raised culinary innovator known for blending classical European techniques with indigenous African ingredients. Trained in Michelin-starred kitchens across Berlin, his culinary philosophy was deeply shaped by early explorations of local markets and ingredients across the African continent. As co-founder and head chef of The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate and recently awarded three stars at the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, Jo champions sustainability through hyper-local sourcing, off-grid energy solutions and bold plant-forward menus.

Jenny Morris

Celebrity chef Jenny Morris is South Africa’s most beloved culinary icon, affectionately known as ‘The Giggling Gourmet.’ With multiple bestselling cookbooks, TV series aired across the globe, and a magnetic stage presence, Jenny brings warmth, humour and unforgettable flavour to everything she touches. Her cuisine is globally inspired, but always grounded in joy, generosity and celebration.

Marbz Serepo

Homegrown food star and co-founder of Plenty Green Africa, Mmabalane Serepo, better known as ‘Marbz,’ is the self-taught entrepreneur behind Eating with Marbz, as well as a proud food security activist with Plenty Green Africa. After making waves as a finalist on a national cooking show, she has built a loyal following by creating accessible, exciting and affordable recipes that celebrate culture and comfort. With a passion for education, Marbz brings joy and heart to everything she cooks.

Mia Laubscher

Seasoned mixologist and specialist beverage consultant Mia Laubscher boasts an impressive 13-year journey within the hospitality industry. With a deep understanding of flavours, trends and guest experiences, Mia continues to elevate the art of mixology across the country.

Nikki Brighton

Plant Abundance founder Nikki Brighton is a forager, eco food activist and author who will share her unique perspective on wild and uncultivated foods at the Good Life Show. Known for her engaging workshops and talks, she inspires audiences to reconnect with nature, live more locally and discover the edible abundance in their own surroundings. Based in Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Nikki is widely respected for her deep commitment to community and environmental stewardship.

Pinky Maruping

Culinary industry innovator and SA Chefs vice president Pinky Maruping has over 20 years of global kitchen experience. She is a powerhouse of innovation, mentorship and impact. From five-star restaurants to cruise liners, from food styling to product development for top SA brands, Pinky has seen and done it all. As the first black female director of the South African Chefs Association and a UN-aligned Chef Manifesto ambassador, she uses her platform to champion sustainable practices and uplift the next generation of chefs.

Siphiwe Sithole

Indigenous ingredients champion Siphiwe Sithole is rewriting the narrative around African food, one indigenous ingredient at a time. As the founder of African Marmalade, she is on a mission to put underutilised African crops back on our plates and into the global spotlight. From amaranth to bambara groundnuts, Siphiwe’s work fuses sustainability, heritage and empowerment.

Sue Gajathar

As the founder of The Vegan Chef, Sue has turned her vision into a thriving plant-based food empire, redefining South African dining by one bold dish at a time. Leaving behind a career in tax, she has built a fast-growing, award-winning brand with multiple locations across Gauteng and KZN. With a focus on sustainability, empowerment and innovation, Sue is proving that vegan food can be both accessible and extraordinary.

Zana Alvarado

Chef Zana Alvarado is a Durban-based award-winning chef and the founder of MESTIZO – South Africa’s first fully Latin American culinary experience – and ZAC Bespoke Catering. A Worldchefs-certified Rookie Culinary Judge and vice chair of SA Chefs Gauteng, she holds multiple Emirates Culinary Guild certifications. Her accolades include Unilever Chef of the Year finalist and Hygiene Award winner (2024), National Burger Challenge Champion (2023) and HTA Culinary Mastermind winner (2017). A familiar face on TV, including MasterChef South Africa, she is also a WWF SASSI Brand Ambassador, championing sustainability and farm-to-table cuisine.

Zororo Taruvinga

Cultural food advocate and Zimbabwean cuisine specialist Zororo Taruvinga is the visionary founder of ZoroNeMugoti Sustainable Foods. In Zimbabwe, she transforms indigenous crops like tamarind, yams and wild berries into nutritious, value-added snacks and beverages, bridging agroecology with culinary creativity. Trained as an executive culinary arts chef and seasoned food and beverage manager, she is also a hospitality consultant and trainer, passionate about sustainable agro-processing and community upliftment.

Woolworths Chefs

Mbali Ngidi

For 11 years, food product innovator and projects chef Mbali has brought trend-setting food ideas to life from within the Woolworths Innovation Kitchen. Her culinary fingerprint is found on countless new products that South Africans love, thanks to her sharp creativity, technical know-how and deep understanding of local tastes.

Scott Parker

Double Michelin-star trained innovator and Woolworths culinary manager Scott Parker blends world-class technique with creativity and practicality. He is the co-author of End Your Carb Confusion and a behind-the-scenes architect of some of the retailer’s most exciting products.

Naledi Toona – Imbo Daily Chef

Food champion and media personality chef Naledi Toona is a celebrated culinary expert, award-winning academic and passionate food and lifestyle educator known for her vibrant, family-friendly recipes rooted in nutrition and everyday ingredients. She has been featured on South African television and in international media, inspiring audiences with her message that healthy food can be both accessible and delicious. Her work encourages families to get involved in the kitchen and embrace home cooking as a joyful, shared experience.

Zanele van Zyl – Spekko Daily Chef

Professionally trained chef and culinary instructor Zanele van Zyl is also a cookbook author and the founder of Cooking with Zanele, a brand that has inspired thousands of home cooks across South Africa. From humble beginnings in Bergville to launching her own cooking classes, she has built a thriving food community through her relatable teaching style and soulful, easy-to-follow recipes. With three bestselling cookbooks and multiple media accolades to her name, she continues to make home cooking approachable, fun and rewarding.

Book your tickets now and be part of a three-day culinary extravaganza that will shift how you think, cook and eat.

Official Hospitality Partner

The Good Life Show is also proud to welcome One Rosebank Executive Apartment Hotel as its official hospitality partner for the Johannesburg edition. Located just minutes from the event venue, One Rosebank is an urban sanctuary offering luxurious contemporary suites, sweeping views of the city and impeccably curated interiors designed for premium comfort.

Pamela Niemand, managing director of The One Rosebank Executive Apartment Hotel, says: “We at One Rosebank Executive Apartment Hotel are delighted to be the official sponsor of hosting the chefs for the Good Life Show. It brings us immense joy to support culinary excellence and community connection. Our philosophy, rooted in elevating shared experiences and nurturing South African creativity, aligns beautifully with the spirit of this event. We could not be happier to play a part in showcasing the passion and talent of all these chefs.”

Book your tickets now and be part of a three-day culinary extravaganza that will shift how you think, cook and eat.

There will be innovative products, chef demos, mixology sessions, Masterclasses, wellness advice, talks and activities.

About the Good Life Show

This highly anticipated event will once again celebrate the evolving plant-based, natural and organic industries. With the wellness sector experiencing consistent global growth, the Good Life Show continues to support small businesses in these rapidly expanding markets. Notably, the plant-based market is expected to grow by an impressive $13 billion by 2026.

Get ready for bags of fresh and fun-filled experiences at the 2025 Good Life Show. Now in its fifth year, SA’s best food, drink and conscious living event and largest event of its kind in Southern Africa is back with even more exciting high-quality and innovative products, experiences and surprising content.

Whether you are sourcing delicious and exciting food and beverages, new wellness products, or discovering eco-friendly and conscious living ideas, The Good Life Show has something for everyone. There will be innovative products to try, chef demos, mixology sessions, hands-on Masterclasses, expert wellness advice, insightful industry talks and activities that will leave you feeling not only inspired but motivated and empowered. Join us for the most unique culinary, health, wellness and sustainability event of the year.

Visitors can meet some big-name local and international chefs and discover products and services in an entertaining, engaging and informative way.

Aimed at anyone with an interest in food, health, wellness, the environment or more conscious living, as well as trade professionals (retail and foodservice) looking for innovative, high-quality products, the Good Life Show will feature thousands of drink and conscious living brands and products available in South Africa right now.