We recently had a chat with former Masterchef SA Season 1 contestant Jade de Waal about her latest project, In Foreign Transit. Along with photographer Max Mogale and videographer Dewald Brand, she’s traveled to India to explore and experience the culture and document the trip in each of their respective media forms.
GLAMOUR: You recently got back from a 3 week journey in India with Max Mogale (the photographer) and Dewald Brand (the videographer) and documenting it all on “In Foreign Transit” and you compiled a cookbook along the way. What inspired the three of you to go on the trip and what are you hoping to achieve with your cookbook?
Jade: The idea behind “In Foreign Transit” has been brewing in Dewald’s head for almost a year and a half. He approached a few South African creatives with the concept of journeying to our first destination, India, and documenting our respective arts and collaborations. This specific cookbook, as an extension of our adventures, is an idea that’s been setting off mini-explosions in my head since the publication of my own cookbook in July last year, way before we even thought about traveling together.
The cookbook is a masala of many ideas – the main focus is to challenge the format, written content, genre and visuals of what a travel cookbook usually is. You won’t only pick it up because it’s a cookbook, but if you’re into, say, stories or illustrations, poster boys or mechanics you’ll want to read it because it is relevant and you can learn something.
GLAMOUR: What was your favourite part of the journey?
Jade: My most favourite part by far: meeting the locals, drinking aanpanna (green mango and cumin juice), and all the late night adventures with Dewald and Max. My least favourite – the Delhi belly!
GLAMOUR: You also appeared on the first season of MasterChef SA. How has that changed your career?
Jade: The best way to describe my experience on MasterChef SA: electrifying! I’ve met the most incredible people on and after the show, on the street, in kitchens, and of course, at Food Jams!
GLAMOUR: What was the inspiration behind your Food Jams project?
Jade: I was studying jazz and wanted teach my friends how to make their own delicious food the way I learnt to play music. Now, I use it as an excuse to meet and work with incredible people – cooks, illustrators, entrepreneurs, lawyers, musicians, photographers, videographers, writers and young people who want to become professional chefs – we teach ourselves.
GLAMOUR: What do you think of the foodie scene in South Africa?
Jade: Many scenes in South Africa are still exclusive, especially music and food – there’s little cross collaboration but examples of people and places where it is happening are powerful. Why are they powerful, I hear you ask? Well, because they’re visible and accessible – on the streets, moving from originally private spaces and inaccessible areas, and now they aren’t scared to share.
GLAMOUR: What’s the one meal you think everyone should know how to prepare?
Jade: I learnt that I never cook for myself, only when I cook for someone is there magic. All the meals you know how to prepare because you want to share.
Here’s a look at what they got up to on their last days in India! Visit their website to watch more clips and look at some amazing snaps.
