Neo Nontso, the creative force behind DinewithNeo, has released her latest cookbook, Love & Lobola, which combines her love of food, family, and heritage. The self-taught cook from KuGompo City in Eastern Cape, has taken a remarkable route to the kitchen, from being a professional makeup artist to cooking full-time. Nontso's journey into cooking began when she discovered that food was a quiet but constant thread running through her travels, including working at the 2019 Oscars.
Before taking the leap to cooking full-time in 2019, Nontso was a successful makeup artist, travelling the world and working with high-profile clients. However, she decided to pursue her passion for cooking, which eventually led to the creation of her online presence and cookbook. The timing of her career change proved to be fortunate, as it coincided with lockdown, when her recipes and online presence grew significantly.
Love & Lobola is Nontso's most personal culinary project yet, weaving together recipes, love, marriage, family, and heritage. The cookbook is a collection of recipes that are tied to sentimental memories or stories in her love life. Nontso began writing a story for each recipe that carries a sentimental moment or memory, which made the cookbook a labour of love.
The cookbook is deeply rooted in Nontso's love story with her husband, Mkhululi (MK) Mabhena, whom she met at a friend's braai. The couple sealed their union in August 2025, and their love story has always been intertwined with their love of food. Nontso shares stories of how her husband would take her on dates to eat or taste different foods, and how he eventually discovered her cooking skills.
Chapters such as The Lobola Table and The Lamb That Keeps On Giving anchor Nontso's most meaningful milestones in the food memories that shaped her journey into marriage. The cookbook also features recipes that have been passed down through her family, such as the mango trifle recipe. Nontso shares that her love for food began at her grandmother's house, where they would gather in the kitchen to prepare a seven-colour meal.
One of the recipes featured in the cookbook is the mango trifle, which consists of layers of cake, cream, mascarpone cheese, and diced mango. The recipe also includes a honeycomb topping, made by heating sugar, syrup, and water to create a crunchy and sweet topping. Nontso provides tips and tricks for making the recipe, such as using Madeira cake and not substituting syrup with honey.
Nontso's cookbook is a reflection of her journey into cooking and her love of food, family, and heritage. The cookbook is a must-have for anyone who loves African cuisine and is looking for inspiration for new recipes. With its unique blend of storytelling and cooking, Love & Lobola is a truly special cookbook that will leave readers feeling inspired and hungry for more.
Key points
- Neo Nontso's cookbook, Love & Lobola, combines her love of food, family, and heritage.
- Nontso's journey into cooking began when she discovered that food was a quiet but constant thread running through her travels.
- The cookbook features recipes that are tied to sentimental memories or stories in her love life.
