By Katleho Malangabe:
For Neo Phothane, cooking has always been more than just preparing meals; it is an act of love. That passion has now found a home on screen through her new show, #MakeItAMealwithNeoP.“I love cooking and I always try to make fun meals for my boys and that’s how I get them to eat,” Phothane said. “So since I love cooking and media, I decided to combine the two and make easy-to-make meals that are enjoyable for everyone.”
Simple, Relatable and Real
Unlike many polished cooking programmes, Phothane’s show thrives on simplicity and authenticity. “It’s quite easy, really, all I want to do is to create easy-to-make meals that everyone can enjoy with easy-to-access ingredients and nothing too over the top,” she said.
Phothane emphasised that what viewers see is genuine. “Everything about it is very authentic and we keep it realistic and no acting at all,” she said. “Even the guests who come on the show are my friends or people I meet for the first time, and we immediately hit it off.”
More Than Just Food
At its core, the show is about connection. “It’s not just a cooking show, it also brings people together,” Phothane said.
Cooking for Everyone
Phothane’s inclusive approach means no one is left out. “Everyone is the target audience because I actually do take some advice from my friends and from my boys as to what meals they would like to have and I make it happen,” she said.
Creativity in the Kitchen
Improvisation plays a key role in her cooking style. “Most recipes are just improvised by the ingredients that are available and I make a meal out of it,” Phothane explained.
She hopes viewers will adopt the same mindset. “I want my viewers to learn to improvise when making a meal and see that they can get something amazing out of the same ingredients they keep in their fridge.”
Behind-the-Scenes Challenges
While the show may appear effortless, production comes with its own hurdles. “The only time challenge that I’ve faced so far is having to work out a schedule to shoot every Sunday,” Phothane said. “At times, my camera operator isn’t available, so it becomes a bit hard to shoot an episode without him around.”
Inspired by Family
Phothane credits her grandmother as a major influence. “Growing up, I loved watching my grandmother cook and how she mixed everything up and made sure we got a nice, hearty meal out of anything,” she said. “I then took some pointers and I’m using them now as a parent to my boys.”
Moments That Matter
The magic of the show often lies in the reactions of her guests. “There are always special moments, especially when people are giving their views about the meals,” Phothane said. “Everything seems very simple until they taste the meals and the end results are always shocking to my guests.”
Looking Ahead
Phothane’s culinary journey is only just the beginning. “Well, in future I’d like to start a small, intimate restaurant that serves just my own recipes, “she said. – @NewsSA_Online
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