It’s ‘Cooking with Pick n Pay’!

Yochanaan Coetzee

With the festive season fast approaching and families raring to get their recipes reworked in order to impress at the next family gathering, Pick n Pay Namibia has embarked on an exciting new initiative where they engage noteworthy Namibians to discuss current affairs, perspectives and their passion for food, over a delicious meal prepared using ingredients available at your nearest Pick n Pay outlet.

“As a retailer, we work with food every day, and it really is something that brings Namibians from all walks of life together, so we wanted to promote the amazing selection of products we stock in our stores, inspire people in terms of fun new recipes and twists on traditional favourites,” says Victoria Moller, the marketing manager for Pick n Pay Namibia.

“However, soon we realised that it was becoming much more than just a cooking show, and had evolved into a really special actuality programme where we got the opportunity to engage special guests and get a feel for who they are, what inspires them and also learn about their personal love-affair with food.

“This was also very timely, as since Covid started, it has robbed us of the joys of going out for a meal, for sharing a braai with loved ones, so we wanted to bring that back through our digital channels and that’s how ‘Cooking with Pick n Pay’ was started.”

Zen-sational meals you can make

In every episode, we meet new and exciting guests who are making an impact on Namibian society. Episode one features the evergreen and always elegant Roux-Che Locke, group manager for corporate relations at Ohlthaver & List, who joins Moller on a fun-filled shopping trip where they stock up on food items anyone can find at their local Pick n Pay. In episode two, Moller and their resident chef, Zenlea Harris, strap themselves in for a whirlwind ride with Commissioner Florentina Dumbu of the Namibian Police Air Wing to hear the inspiring story of how she went from being Namibia’s only female police helicopter pilot to leading Nampol’s Air Wing.

“The menus for our shows are really crafted around the guests we have on for that episode. We look at their food preferences, their personalities and also what they love to cook themselves,” explains Chef Zen.

“We want to take food items that anyone can find at their local Pick n Pay, and make delicious and yes, fancy meals, with ingredients that you may already have on your shopping list or in your cupboard, just to give the viewers a different outlook what they can create with their monthly shopping,” she says.

Eating with your eyes

The team enlisted the services of well-known videographer Garwin Beukes, whose eye for detail and cinematic skill have helped them produce this highly visual series that holds your attention and tickles your taste buds.

“I have to say the ladies confused me at first, because they have so much fun, yet their approach to the meals is so serious that it feels like both a cooking show and a podcast all rolled into one,” says Beukes.

“We try to keep the visuals high-key, inviting and appetising, while we aim to edit it in way that not only gives the viewer a good idea of a day in the life of our guests, but allows the viewer to get a good look at the nuances of Chef Zen’s preparations and cooking, while giving the products and ingredients their prominence too,” he added.

If you’d like to check out this fully Namibian celebration of food and forward-thinking movers and shakers, scan the QR code below or visit the Pick n Pay YouTube channel, and make sure to subscribe.