A Moment With| J'Something

The first time I saw J'Something perform I fell a little bit in love. Then I saw his cooking on his Instagram and it was over for me, I was besotted. Every time I see him perform in Mi Casa I am inspired by the palpable passion he has for what he does. The first time we met I was utterly starstruck, but I managed to play it cool (I hope). His on-stage charisma is at odds with his humble attitude and genuinely down to earth demeanor, but even from a short meeting one can tell he has intangible star quality.

I've always wanted to know more about what makes the man behind the music, and now the food, tick? Was his plan always world domination or is it simply the product of talent, passion and hard work? He is an award-winning musician, TV star, wannabe chef and quite simply one of the busiest men in the South African entertainment industry.

1. Did you envision your passion for food would become such a large part of your career?

NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS!

2. What is the first thing you ever remember cooking?

Spaghetti Bolognese with my beautiful mother.

3. What inspires you food-wise?

Eating :) I cook to relax so i think the process of cooking inspires me. But i would say inspiration for my cooking stems from my African and Portuguese heritage.

4. What are your culinary aspirations for the future?

Make my late dad proud. My dad ran and established some of the best hotels in the world as head of Food and Beverage. I would love to own a restaurant and have my own cook book.

5. What is your absolute favourite dish to prepare?

Fresh pasta. I love the process.

6. What has been the best moment of your foodie career thus far?

I would say working on my cook book, making my tv shows, and having a meeting with Sun International.

7. What it is it like cooking at the Good Food & Wine Show Chef's Theatre vs. performing live on stage in front of thousands?

HAHA ... very different. Music is what I love and what I was born to do. Cooking in front of people I get nervous as hell man. But I still enjoy it. I think I was born to entertain.

8. Where is your favourite place to dine in the world?

Wow ... hard question. A few places. Frango da Guia in the Algarve, Craft in Pankhurst, Signature in Mornigside, Escondido in Craighall, Urbanology in JHB City, my house ... :) Too many to mention.

9. If you could host a dinner party for 4 guests (dead or alive) who would you invite?

My dad, my mother, Jamie Oliver, and Nelson Mandela.

10. What 3 dishes do you think everyone should be able to cook before 25?

Roast of any sort, a signature pasta dish, and an omelette.

11. Do you spend any time watching cooking TV shows (other than your own) and if so, what's your favourite?

Mmmmmm not really. I really enjoy Jamie's brand and all he does as a human being.

12. What did you learn from making your first TV show?

TV is not what you see. It takes so long to make one 24 minute episode. Its not for the faint hearted.

13. What can we expect from your pop-up restaurant at the DSTV Delicious Festival?

A home away from home. A bit of me and where i am from. Delicious food!

14. Any sneak peeks as to what one could expect from a J'Something Cookbook?

Definitely. Its going to be a lot of fun and down to earth recipes with a lot of my food journey story. I want to make very digitally inclined.

15. Describe yourself in 3 words.

Music. Family. God.

16. What advice do you have to the Future Somebodies in the food & music industry?

Do what you love and do what ever you do with love. There is one secret ingredient no body can get their hands on and that's your love, be it for food, or for music.

#amomentwith