There was plenty of delicious food to savour at the launch of Food Safari with Isibindi at Burnedale last Thursday, but it was the stories behind the dishes that made the evening memorable.

Guests sampled some of the more than 80 recipes featured in the new cookbook, which draw inspiration from the four Isibindi Africa Lodges: Thonga Beach Lodge, Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge and Kosi Forest Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, and Tsowa Safari Island in Zimbabwe.

Journalist Greg Arde, who wrote the book, described it as a celebration of people, places and relationships, rather than simply a collection of recipes.

“I nicknamed this book ‘the courage cookbook’,” said Arde, referring to the meaning of Isibindi in Zulu and the courage shown by lodge owners Brett and Paige Gehren in building a tourism business rooted in conservation and partnerships with local communities. The Gehrens live in Eshowe with an office based in Ballito.

One of the evening’s most touching moments came when Nomazulu Ndlovu, now head chef at Thonga Beach Lodge, shared her journey from washing dishes to running a kitchen. Her story was a reminder that behind the beautifully photographed dishes are real people whose lives have been transformed by opportunity.

Speaking of the beautiful photographs by award-winning photographer Toby Murphy, food stylist Brita du Plessis drew plenty of laughs as she recalled improvising with whatever was available, even turning chairs upside down to get perfect shots for the book.

Isibindi Africa Lodges group executive chef Carl Moller, who mentors chefs across the group’s four lodges, believes memorable food doesn’t need to be complicated. That ethos is captured in the book, where recipes are delivered without pretence, encouraging you to soak in the feeling of the lodges from the comfort of your home.

Published by Penguin Random House South Africa, Food Safari with Isibindi is available from leading bookstores and online retailers at a recommended retail price of R420.