Cape Malay food icon Cass Abrahams dies at 83
Abrahams was known for her Cape Malay cooking, blending vibrant flavours with cultural influences.
Celebrated Cape Malay chef and author Cass Abrahams has died at the age of 83.
Abrahams, also known as the Spice Queen, was known for her Cape Malay cooking, blending vibrant flavours with cultural influences.
She championed Cape cuisine and became internationally recognised for her knowledge of Cape Malay cooking and culture.
Her decades of culinary success included teaching cooking classes, catering, consulting for restaurants, appearing on television, publishing several cookbooks, and serving as a lifelong member of the South African Chefs Association.
"Her legacy will live on in the kitchens, recipes and traditions of this city, and in everyone she inspired," says Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.
"The City extends its condolences to Cass Abrahams' family, friends, colleagues and the many people whose lives she touched through her extraordinary work in promoting dishes such as bobotie, bredies, and denningvleis to audiences far beyond the Cape."
Abrahams grew up in Gauteng, and only after moving to Cape Town and meeting her husband did she learn to cook.
"The Cape Malay community didn’t welcome me because I couldn't speak Afrikaans or cook – the worst thing. My husband’s grandmother felt sorry for me and took me under her wing. The first thing she taught me how to make was green bean bredie," she previously told Taste Magazine.
A former science and biology teacher, Abrahams published her first cookbook, ‘The Culture and Cuisine of the Cape Malays', in 1995. She became famous for perfecting staple traditional dishes, including bobotie and bredies (stews).
Abrahams’ daughter, actress Rehane Abrahams, paid tribute to her "Mama Diva" in a Facebook post shared on 9 August.
"Mama Diva Goddess Temple. You are Grace and Power in Living and Dying and Beyond. How like you to exit this plane on the Lions Gate Portal - a Grand Exit through Isis and Sirius for a proud Lioness. We shake the tables, we stir the pots, we serve with you always, Ms Ma'am Cassandra Magnolia Dorothea," the post reads.
Tributes for Cass Abrahams
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the country and the culinary world following news of her passing.
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