Cook outside.
Always.

Originally from South Africa, now resident in sunny Glasgow Scotland, I've carried my love for a good braai with me. I'm not a fair-weather fire-starter — I've been known to cook outside in the depths of winter. There's something about cooking over an open flame that grounds me; connects me to my environment and, more importantly, my family.

I work long hours as a Software Engineering Director, and cooking is my way of giving back to my family for putting up with my absence. I love nothing more than seeing the joy on my son's face when he bites into ribs that have been in the smoker for six hours. On holiday an outside grill is a must-have for me — an opportunity to experiment. Some experiments work better than others, but I've gotten to a stage where I can turn even the humblest of ingredients into something tasty. I just need fire, smoke, and time.

I'm a big fan of wine too, so you'll find a good number of reviews of my favourite bottles and recommended pairings. I'm into new-world wines — Pinotage being one of my loves (unsurprising for a South African). That said, I'm writing this from a beautiful villa in Portugal near the town of Comporta, and I'm amazed by the variety of wines that Portugal fields. The fact it's very difficult to buy international wines outside of Lisbon is a testament to how good they are.

I make use of affiliate links to recommend products that I actually use. If you liked a recipe, consider purchasing via one of those links — it helps fund the site and feeds my kitchen-gadget addiction.