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What’s the Difference? A Woolies Food Podcast
What’s the Difference? A Woolies Food Podcast episodes
- Benni McCarthy wanted to import Gatsbys when playing football in Europe
Benni McCarthy loved the food in Portugal, and struggled with the Spanish dinner time. The South African football legend joins hosts Sibongile Mafu and Steve Steinfeld for a raw and honest conversation about his career, memories and his new memoir "Benni by Benni McCarthy."
From growing up in the tough Cape Flats neighbourhoods to becoming a Champions League winner with Porto, Benni shares stories you've never heard before.
In this episode, you'll discover:
- How a chance at Seven Stars led to European scouts from Real Madrid and Barcelona
- His incredible ability to learn Portuguese in just 2 months (and his unique method)
- The childhood trauma that drove his success and made him into the man he is today.
Plus, Yusuf Limbada’s daughter is the reason Woolies sells mochi. Woolies Food’s Head of Trade: Prepared, Bakery and Frozen at Woolies Food sheds light on exactly why the food at Woolies is more expensive, and why it's worth it.
New episodes on Wednesdays
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://bit.ly/4s4MKux
Benni McCarthy- https://www.instagram.com/bennimac17/?hl=en"Benni by Benni McCarthy" - available for purchase46 min - Soweto-born chef, champagne creator, cacao pioneer - Chef Wandile Mabaso is a South African culinary inspiration
On this week’s What’s the Difference episode, hosts Sibongile Mafu and Steve Steinfeld take a journey through Chef Wandile Mabaso’s career. From ‘playing’ with food at home in Soweto to sweating it out in New York’s toughest Michelin-starred kitchens, he’s back in South Africa and quietly building his own empire. As the chef-owner of Les Creatif in Johannesburg, he’s doing more than changing the menu. He’s reshaping kitchen culture, mentoring young chefs, and creating space for more diversity in fine dining.
He also shares:
- The unique experience of creating his own champagne brand in Champagne, France.
- His cacao project that brings a deeper connection to chocolate-making and storytelling through food
- How he mastered French techniques in order to celebrate African flavours
Plus, Woolworths senior development chef, Sharon Mbonambi, talks about the challenges of introducing South African dishes to the Woolies market. From amagwinya to idombolo, she’s blazing a trail to make heritage foods available nationwide.
New episodes on Wednesdays
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://bit.ly/4s4MKux
Les Créatifs Restaurant: https://lescreatifs.co.za/
Chef Wandile Mabaso: https://www.instagram.com/chef_wandilemabaso/?hl=en
38 min - Eat Out Trailblazer Bertus Basson on snoek, embracing his Burger Era, and why South African food doesn’t need Michelin Stars
Eat Out Woolworths Trailblazer Award winner Bertus Basson joins us for an honest and entertaining chat about modern South African cuisine. From working in London to running his own restaurants, including the innovative Eike, we get the skinny on his famous beef-tallow “courtship candles” and why he proudly defends the bones in proudly South African snoek.
In this episode, he:
- Shares the philosophy behind his restaurants, including Eike, where indigenous ingredients meet contemporary techniques, and nostalgia inspires innovation.
- His time working in London and how it prepared him for the restaurant industry.
- Tells the story behind his famous beef-tallow “courtship candles,” why he proudly defends the bones in snoek
Plus, Zandile Finxa, Product Developer: Ambient Cakes & Special Occasions shares their favourite lesser known product and how Woolies champions indigenous ingredients.
New episodes on Wednesdays
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://bit.ly/4s4MKux
Learn more about Bertus here: https://bertusbasson.com/
29 min - Africa Melane’s day starts at 2 am, here’s what he has for breakfast
Africa Melane may wake South Africa up on 702 and CapeTalk, but what fuels his day?
The MC and radio legend gives us a glimpse into his remarkable life and his deep love for food. From waking up at 2:30 am to host the Early Breakfast Show, to serving as chairperson of the Cape Town City Ballet, Africa shows that he’s far more than just a voice on the airwaves.
The conversation is filled with warmth and nostalgia as Africa shares childhood memories of:
- His grandmother’s legendary liver cakes.
- The breakfast ritual he refuses to skip and reveals some of the dishes he loves to cook at home from slow-braised lamb shank to an indulgent Guinness chocolate cake.
- His reputation as a certified food snob and shares a funny, brutally honest story about his lifelong condensed milk trauma.
Plus, Developer: Central Innovation Projects, Khanyisile Mbude-Williams, shares how Woollies uses trends to dream up new products and serve you items you didn’t know you wanted.
New episodes on Wednesdays
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://bit.ly/4s4MKux
Catch Africa's show on 702 and CapeTalk at 4 am – 6 am or listen at https://www.primediaplus.com/
25 min - How Ebie Du toit went from pot washer to Head Chef at The Pot Luck Club JHB
He started at the sink. Today, he runs one of Johannesburg’s most celebrated kitchens. In this unforgettable episode, Ebrahiem “Ebie” Du toit takes us inside his extraordinary journey from Mitchells Plain to leading The Pot Luck Club Joburg as Head Chef. It’s a story of grit, raw talent, relentless work ethic – and the mentors who saw greatness in a young man long before he saw it in himself. Ebie opens up about:
- The turning point that changed everything
- The pressure of stepping into a world-class kitchen
- The desserts that carry his story of resilience and hope
- Why mentorship is now his mission
And because the future of food matters, Sharon Mbonambi, Senior Food Product Development Chef at Woolworths, joins the conversation to unpack how Woolies is creating real career pathways for young culinary talent… and she reveals the reason their iconic scone recipe had to change.
If you care about food, ambition, and the power of opportunity, this episode will stay with you long after the last (sound) bite.
New episodes on Wednesdays
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://bit.ly/4s4MKux
Learn more about the Pot Luck Club here: https://thepotluckclubjhb.co.za/home/
33 min - No flat whites! How Chiara and Dani Turilli started their exquisitely – and sometimes annoyingly – authentic Italian trattoria
What does authenticity taste like? For siblings Danillo and Chiara Turilli, it’s their late dad’s ragù, 72-hour fermented pizza al taglio, and occasionally swearing at one another in Italian.
In this emotional episode, Chiara cries several times, tells stories about how the siblings fought in Rome, and Dani compliments her on public record for the first time ever. Iconic.
The founders of Lello’s Trattoria, Aperitivo Bar and Caffè share how growing up in restaurants shaped their food philosophy, why you won’t find flat whites on their menu, and how a heartbreak-fuelled renovation became one of Cape Town’s most beloved Italian spaces.
Plus, Thulisa Martins, Senior Product Developer at Woolworths, joins The Cold Seat to explain how San Marzano tomatoes are now grown locally from imported Italian seeds… and why authentic products must still be imported.
New episodes every Wednesday
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://bit.ly/4s4MKux
Learn more about Lello’s: https://www.instagram.com/lellosdeli/?hl=en
See more from Chiara: https://www.instagram.com/chiaraturilli/?hl=enAnd Dani: https://www.instagram.com/danillo_turilli/?hl=en
37 min - Smoke, stories and soul: Vusi Ndlovu and Absie Pantshwa's modern African fine-dining revolution
What happens when you treat fire as an ingredient rather than just heat? Chef Vusi Ndlovu and restaurateur Absie Pantshwa, the dynamic duo behind Cape Town's acclaimed Edge restaurant, reveal how they're revolutionising African fine-dining. From minimalist plates, championing female winemakers and unconventional pairings (yes, including Black Label beer!), the duo explains why "cooking with fire" requires both humility and mastery.
Plus, Scott Parker, Product Development Manager: Culinary Innovation, Research and Development at Woolworths, explains how umleqwa made it into stores.
New episodes every Wednesday
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://tinyurl.com/cztnnywc
Our legal team wants you to read this disclaimer: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp21599413:50 Watch Johannes Richter’s episode of What’s the Difference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2lRhsTlXIY&t=668s
Learn more about Edge restaurant: https://edgerestaurant.africa/
Follow along on the transcript: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp216013
38 min - Johannes Richter turned his childhood home into a fine dining restaurant
From a childhood living room to the top of the South African fine dining scene, Johannes Richter, the 2025 Eat Out Woolworths Chef of the Year, joins us to share how The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate was built on a bold promise: to source 90% of the ingredients within 150 kilometres – and make them exceptional.
We also sit down with Sally Holderness, Head of Product: Trends, Insights, Strategy and Science at Woolworths, to answer a question you’ve asked yourself in the fruit aisle: why are some bananas wrapped in plastic?
Sources:
Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://tinyurl.com/cztnnywc
Our legal team wants you to read our disclaimer: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp215994Source for 17:20 – read more about Farming for the Future: https://www.woolworths.co.za/content/article/farming-for-the-future/_/A-cmp100417
And more about the Good Business Journey as a whole: https://tinyurl.com/wnsc2zz7Enjoy this interactive Farming for the Future experience: https://wooliesfarmingforthefuture.co.za/Learn more about The LivingRoom here: https://summerhillkzn.com/livingroom/32 min - “It’s not cheating, it’s medicine”: Doctor Robyn talks Ozempic hype, myths and the hard truths no one says out loud
Get ready for our most controversial episode to date!
Dr Robyn Milton, a GP with a special interest in hormonal health, drops truth bombs about the Ozempic phenomenon and how it’s reshaping our eating habits. From her own eye-opening experience with GLP-1 medications to the surprising science behind "food noise", this conversation will challenge everything you think you know about weight loss, willpower, and the future of food.
Plus, Marli Roberts, Woolworths Food Head of Product: Central Sensory Quality and Innovation, gives insights into how Woolies thinks about health when coming up with new products.
Warning: this episode contains frank discussions about weight, medical interventions and body autonomy that some listeners may find challenging. Note that Dr Robyn Milton’s comments are general in nature and are not a substitute for medical advice.
Sources:
Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Read the transcript here: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp216000
Disclaimer: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp215994
Sources for 45:08
Read about Woolies’ food security efforts here: https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/woolworths-marks-world-food-day-by-strengthening-its-commitment-to-food-security/
And more about the Good Business Journey as a whole: https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Good-Business-Journey-Report.pdf
Source for 46:45
Take a look at Woolworths’ purpose, vision and values: https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/overview/our-purpose-vision-and-values/
Source for 47:04A recent Woolies food innovation: https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/woolies-champions-a-holistic-approach-to-everyday-eating-at-the-good-life-show/
Find out more about Dr Robyn Milton here: https://www.docrobyn.co.za/
And read her deep-dive blog post about GLP-1 agonists here: https://docrobyn.co.za/health-uncensored-blog-item/glp1-agonists-uncensored-guide/
53 min - Miles Kubheka left his corporate job to start selling boerewors rolls … and built an empire
What happens when a systems engineer trades his corporate salary for a grill? Miles Kubheka's story will completely change how you think about entrepreneurship, food security, and building scalable solutions. Plus, Yusuf Limbada, Head of Trade: Prepared, Bakery and Frozen, explains why he never tells people that he works at Woolworths at a braai.
New episodes every Wednesday
Brought to you by WoolworthsProduced by POP24Shop the Snack & Yap products: https://www.woolworths.co.za/cat/_/N-o3pw8w?Exact=true
Read the transcription of the podcast here: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp215993
Disclaimer: https://www.woolworths.co.za/corporate/cmp215994
Source for stats on screen at 18:57 and 19:24: https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/woolworths-marks-world-food-day-by-strengthening-its-commitment-to-food-security/
Detailed info on the Woolies Good Business Journey: https://www.woolworthsholdings.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2025-Good-Business-Journey-Report.pdf
Find out more about Miles Kubheka: https://mileskubheka.com
The restaurant and brand he started, and has since sold:
https://www.vuyos.co.za
Gcwalisa shops: https://www.gcwalisa.com
Read more about DIME and the UN: https://www.undp.org/south-africa/projects/digital-innovation-modernising-independent-economy-dime
Sphazamisa app: https://www.sphazamisa.co.za
Visit the Wakanda food accelerator: https://wakanda.org.za
42 min
About What’s the Difference? A Woolies Food Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Award-winning radio host Sibongile Mafu and acclaimed food writer Steve Steinfeld hold lively, laugh-out-loud conversations with the innovators, rule-breakers and visionaries shaping how the country eats today. Expect big personalities, bold opinions and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Featuring guests like Miles Kubheka, Jackie Cameron, and Bertus Basson, you’ll be the first to know the ideas changing the future of food.
New episodes every Wednesday
Brought to you by Woolworths
Produced by POP24