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VIEW PHOTOS
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Host: Colleen and Ruth

Cape Town, South Africa

USD
$42-$76 per person

Authentic Cape Malay cuisine in Manenberg

Host offerings
  • House
  • Home cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food tour

Meet Colleen and Ruth

Colleen and Ruth are sisters with over three decades of experience in the food industry. Passionate about Cape Malay cuisine, the sisters consider their unique culinary traditions a rich legacy passed down from generation to generation. Food has offered them both an opportunity to better their lives and the community they come from. Colleen and Ruth were born in Manenberg on the Cape Flats, a community that was borne out of Apartheid's spatial laws, yet rich with diverse cultures as a result. Growing up on the Flats allowed them to forge deep bonds with neighbors, and create a community based on love, kindness and food. The sisters learned to cook from their grandmothers who took nothing and made the most delicious meals, and their mother who cooked for the entire community. Colleen and Ruth are honored to share their culture and history through food with guests from around the world. The village of Manenberg rose from insurmountable odds, to become a community and not just a settlement. It is a community where love abounds in the face of hate, generosity flourishes even in poverty, and innovation lives where resources don’t. There is a unique magic that exists here, when a neighbor gives their last to someone who has less, and stretches their already stretched pot of food to feed those who don’t have food. Colleen and Ruth are eager to share their favorite childhood dishes in honor of their mother and all those whose unbreakable spirits gave them everything.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-6 guests) Meet your hosts Colleen and Ruth at Ruth’s home in the Manenberg neighborhood of Cape Town. Sip on a South African rooibos tea and enjoy it with Cape Malay koesisters, a traditional doughnut like sweet treat as you chat with your host about life in Cape Town. Join your host at her dining table to enjoy a traditional Cape Malay meal. Your menu includes starters, a main and dessert. Enjoy a platter of Cape Malay pastries including samosas, half-moons, and fried spring rolls served with a traditional dhanya (coriander) dipping sauce. This will be followed by a main of Cape Malay tomato bredie, a South African stew of slow-cooked meat and vegetables served with yellow rice, made from a secret family recipe.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Join your hosts Colleen and Ruth at Ruth’s home kitchen to learn to cook a Cape Malay meal from recipes that have been passed down through generations of the sisters’ family. Cape Malay cuisine is all about bold flavors and warm hugs. Your hands-on Cape Malay cooking class will last about 2 hours. You will learn to cook a three-course Cape Malay meal including samosas, tomato bredie, rice and dessert. Enjoy learning about the tips and techniques involved in Cape Malay cooking before you sit down at the table to share the meal you helped prepare with your hosts Colleen and Ruth.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Koesisters with rooibus tea
  • Samosas, half-moons or spring rolls with a dipping sauce
  • Tomato bredie
  • Turmeric yellow rice
  • Dessert of sago pudding and custard
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Ruth and Colleen were were warm and welcoming from the minute we stepped into their home. We were greeted with two different kinds of traditional homemade doughnuts and fresh tea and coffee. Ruth and Colleen took their time to get to know us a little while we enjoyed the treat, before we headed into the kitchen for our cooking class. We loved making fresh samosas from scratch, mixing and forming our own meat (and no-meat!) balls, kneading the dough for our dessert, and learning all about our hosts’ families and traditions along the way! Ruth and Colleen were very considerate about my dietary restrictions, and created a vegan version of all their favorite dishes just for me while my boyfriend enjoyed the original version of everything. We had a wonderful time, and left with full bellies and a lot of knowledge on the history and food traditions of this wonderful local family and their community. The neighborhood is definitely a little drive away from central Cape Town and on the rougher side but we didn't feel unsafe. What was awesome was that there is great gated parking at the house making it easy to get in and out of.

Jen, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
Such a great way to expand your understanding of the wonderful Malayian culture. We had a wonderful time!
- Ginaelli March 22, 2023
Very wonderful experience learning how to cook some of their dishes. Also the hosts were very friendly it had an at home feel.
- 155oluf March 18, 2023
A truly lovely experience. When you come to Cape Town you will hear about Cape Malay food and then you will probably try and find a good restaurant serving it. You will struggle to find one (I have that both on good authority and personal experience). Instead you should just book Ruth and Colleen here. You will have the opportunity to misfold samoosas and gorge on koesisters. You will try authentic Cape Malay food and enjoy the heck out of it. You will not have to be left wondering what good Cape Malay food is and you will have a great memory to take home with you. Don't think too long about it, just book (and forget...or think about it constantly) and when the time comes have a phenomenal time!
- Spicys March 17, 2023
A truly lovely experience. When you come to Cape Town you will hear about Cape Malay food and then you will probably try and find a good restaurant serving it. You will struggle to find one (I have that both on good authority and personal experience). Instead you should just book Ruth and Colleen here. You will have the opportunity to misfold samoosas and gorge on koesisters. You will try authentic Cape Malay food and enjoy the heck out of it. You will not have to be left wondering what good Cape Malay food is and you will have a great memory to take home with you. Don't think too long about it, just book (and forget...or think about it constantly) and when the time comes have a phenomenal time!
- Spicys March 17, 2023
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Colleen and Ruth

$42-$76 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Credit card is not charged until the host confirms your booking
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $62 $50 $42
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $76 $62 $46
Alcohol
 $12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $62 $50 $42
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $76 $62 $46
Alcohol
 $12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-3:00pm 5:00pm-10:00pm

Meet Colleen and Ruth

Colleen and Ruth are sisters with over three decades of experience in the food industry. Passionate about Cape Malay cuisine, the sisters consider their unique culinary traditions a rich legacy passed down from generation to generation. Food has offered them both an opportunity to better their lives and the community they come from. Colleen and Ruth were born in Manenberg on the Cape Flats, a community that was borne out of Apartheid's spatial laws, yet rich with diverse cultures as a result. Growing up on the Flats allowed them to forge deep bonds with neighbors, and create a community based on love, kindness and food. The sisters learned to cook from their grandmothers who took nothing and made the most delicious meals, and their mother who cooked for the entire community. Colleen and Ruth are honored to share their culture and history through food with guests from around the world. The village of Manenberg rose from insurmountable odds, to become a community and not just a settlement. It is a community where love abounds in the face of hate, generosity flourishes even in poverty, and innovation lives where resources don’t. There is a unique magic that exists here, when a neighbor gives their last to someone who has less, and stretches their already stretched pot of food to feed those who don’t have food. Colleen and Ruth are eager to share their favorite childhood dishes in honor of their mother and all those whose unbreakable spirits gave them everything.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (1-6 guests) Meet your hosts Colleen and Ruth at Ruth’s home in the Manenberg neighborhood of Cape Town. Sip on a South African rooibos tea and enjoy it with Cape Malay koesisters, a traditional doughnut like sweet treat as you chat with your host about life in Cape Town. Join your host at her dining table to enjoy a traditional Cape Malay meal. Your menu includes starters, a main and dessert. Enjoy a platter of Cape Malay pastries including samosas, half-moons, and fried spring rolls served with a traditional dhanya (coriander) dipping sauce. This will be followed by a main of Cape Malay tomato bredie, a South African stew of slow-cooked meat and vegetables served with yellow rice, made from a secret family recipe.

Cooking experience: (1-6 guests) Join your hosts Colleen and Ruth at Ruth’s home kitchen to learn to cook a Cape Malay meal from recipes that have been passed down through generations of the sisters’ family. Cape Malay cuisine is all about bold flavors and warm hugs. Your hands-on Cape Malay cooking class will last about 2 hours. You will learn to cook a three-course Cape Malay meal including samosas, tomato bredie, rice and dessert. Enjoy learning about the tips and techniques involved in Cape Malay cooking before you sit down at the table to share the meal you helped prepare with your hosts Colleen and Ruth.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Koesisters with rooibus tea
  • Samosas, half-moons or spring rolls with a dipping sauce
  • Tomato bredie
  • Turmeric yellow rice
  • Dessert of sago pudding and custard
PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Ruth and Colleen were were warm and welcoming from the minute we stepped into their home. We were greeted with two different kinds of traditional homemade doughnuts and fresh tea and coffee. Ruth and Colleen took their time to get to know us a little while we enjoyed the treat, before we headed into the kitchen for our cooking class. We loved making fresh samosas from scratch, mixing and forming our own meat (and no-meat!) balls, kneading the dough for our dessert, and learning all about our hosts’ families and traditions along the way! Ruth and Colleen were very considerate about my dietary restrictions, and created a vegan version of all their favorite dishes just for me while my boyfriend enjoyed the original version of everything. We had a wonderful time, and left with full bellies and a lot of knowledge on the history and food traditions of this wonderful local family and their community. The neighborhood is definitely a little drive away from central Cape Town and on the rougher side but we didn't feel unsafe. What was awesome was that there is great gated parking at the house making it easy to get in and out of.

Jen, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews

5.0 (4)
Such a great way to expand your understanding of the wonderful Malayian culture. We had a wonderful time!
- Ginaelli March 22, 2023
Very wonderful experience learning how to cook some of their dishes. Also the hosts were very friendly it had an at home feel.
- 155oluf March 18, 2023
A truly lovely experience. When you come to Cape Town you will hear about Cape Malay food and then you will probably try and find a good restaurant serving it. You will struggle to find one (I have that both on good authority and personal experience). Instead you should just book Ruth and Colleen here. You will have the opportunity to misfold samoosas and gorge on koesisters. You will try authentic Cape Malay food and enjoy the heck out of it. You will not have to be left wondering what good Cape Malay food is and you will have a great memory to take home with you. Don't think too long about it, just book (and forget...or think about it constantly) and when the time comes have a phenomenal time!
- Spicys March 17, 2023
A truly lovely experience. When you come to Cape Town you will hear about Cape Malay food and then you will probably try and find a good restaurant serving it. You will struggle to find one (I have that both on good authority and personal experience). Instead you should just book Ruth and Colleen here. You will have the opportunity to misfold samoosas and gorge on koesisters. You will try authentic Cape Malay food and enjoy the heck out of it. You will not have to be left wondering what good Cape Malay food is and you will have a great memory to take home with you. Don't think too long about it, just book (and forget...or think about it constantly) and when the time comes have a phenomenal time!
- Spicys March 17, 2023
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 5+ ppl
In-Home Meal
 $62 $50 $42
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $76 $62 $46
Alcohol
 $12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 people 5+ people
In-Home Meal
 $62 $50 $42
Cooking Experience + Meal
 $76 $62 $46
Alcohol
 $12 per person
*Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 7:00pm-9:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 10:00am-3:00pm 5:00pm-10:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 48 hours before your experience for a full refund minus a 3% processing fee. Experiences within 48 hours are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 48 hours or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can’t make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host’s profile doesn’t work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

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    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host’s family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

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