Cook & Connect

18/04/2026

Some knowledge lives only in hands. In the way a grandmother presses mochi, or a chef reads the mountain before dawn. It cannot be written down until someone chooses to follow it.

The Memory of Food is a long-term field research project documenting endangered culinary knowledge held by elderly knowledge-holders across cultures, before it disappears with the generation that carries it.

Japan was one of the many encounters that became What the Hands Remember, a field document covering Japan, Réunion, South Africa, Zanzibar, Laos, and Chiang Mai.
More field work is underway.

Nadège Lepoittevin
Food explorer and cultural researcher
Founder, Cook & Connect, Cape Town

15/02/2026

25/11/2022

Cooking classes for individual and kitchen staff, Culinary tours in France with Nadege Cuisine -

The last months, I have been twice to Tanzania to create a retreat menu (raw food, vegan and Gluten/Sugar free) for Chole Mjini Tree House and an Energetic Kilimanjaro hikers menu for Altezza Travel. For both places, I have been there to train the kitchen staff (even did the Kilimanjaro ascend!...

08/04/2022

Tip of the week!

Tomato skins can be quite bitter to eat, so I usually skin them with a knife using this simple technique. Just chop the tomato into 4 pieces and remove the skin like I do in the video. It takes a minute, but can totally transform the taste of your dish. Bon appetit!

08/04/2022

Have you been thinking about rekindling a few connections with friends and loved ones? I used my decades of experience and knowledge, to design a one of a kind cooking class that shows you how to use cooking as a way to connect with yourself and those you love.
Head over to the cook and connect website and enjoy guided one on one classes that will help you rebuild connections in your life though fun, health, intimacy.

18/03/2022

Cooking is such a joyful experience!

It revives our inner child and brings the spirit of giving and connecting right to the fore. 2021 was a heck of another year but we made it through and 2022 is already shining brighter. In the spirit of giving, I'm sharing my banana bread recipe with you.

Give it a try and share pictures with me if you can! Either way, like all the recipes in the cook and connect class, I hope this one brings you a sense of well being, balance, flavour, and yes a touch of indulgence too!

Head to my website for the full recipe, give it a try and let me know your thoughts..

15/03/2022

Cooking is where all the magic happens. It's where my creativity comes to life, where the world around me dissolves and I truly connect with myself.

By taking the time to cook healthy, delicious and fun food, I give myself the opportunity to breathe and connect with my soul and inner aspirations.

My course, Cooking with Joy, allows my clients to take a meaningful moment for themselves without interruption. Find out more on my website cookandconnect.com 😊

04/03/2022

Isolation is one of the key causes of mental health issues and the current COVID has made many feel even more disconnected.

As complex as mental health can be, very few people realise that the simple act of cooking can help you reconnect with yourself, those you love and even new people. I've created an online class called Cook and Connect, designed to show you how cooking can help us feel less isolated and more connected, even in times of uncertaintly.

Tag a friend below my post and say why you feel your a class could do you good, and stand a chance win a fun, relaxing and insightful online cooking class with me, and of course - the cherry on the cake: You get to do all of it in the comfort of your home, wherever you are in the world!

How it will work 😀:
📍Tag a friend in the comments section
📍Say why you think a Cook and Connect class could really benefit you
📍Comments on this post will close on March 15th, 2022
📍Winner announcement on March 17th, 2022
📍Online class made available until May 1st, 2022

01/03/2022

Last month, I had the opportunity to impart my knowledge with the cooking team of Chole Mjini Treehouse LodgeTreehouse located on Mafia Island

It was a humbling and rewarding experience in an incredibly beautiful setting with even more wonderful people. Even though I was there to cook and teach, I too learned delicious new recipes and cooking techniques which I have shared on my website.

If you would like to expand your horizons and learn how cooking can be a powerful tool to connect you with yourself and those you love, head over to my site to learn more.🙂

24/02/2022

Today, I am excited to launch my Cook and Connect program. Cook and Connect is a culinary lifestyle, that shows how cooking fun, healthy and delicious food can build deeper connections with yourself and the people in your life.
This class is a culmination of years of research and experiences and I can't wait to share all I have learnt and continue to learn with you! Check out my brand new website to find out more about Cook and Connect and I can't wait to hear your thoughts on my this new venture!

https://www.cookandconnect.com