Near the city of Rondebosch there is a well-known culinary spot—Silwood Kitchen, located in the prestigious Silwood School of Cookery. This school, founded by the legendary Leslie Fall and now managed by her daughter Alicia and granddaughter Karianne, is a Cordons Bleus institution that has trained South Africa's top chefs for generations.
The author recalls that Silwood always seemed like a mythical place to him, comparing it to a culinary Hogwarts. While attending his mother's courses, the kitchen atmosphere was filled with Leslie Fall's legacy, and recipes were modified, including dishes such as 'ducks' and 'glazes.'
However, everything became clear to the author only years later, shortly before starting work at Butler’s Pizza. He discovered that the founder of Butler’s, the legendary Robert Wilkinson, is Alicia's son. This discovery explained the secret behind the signature tomato sauce that made Butlers the leader in pizza delivery in Cape Town. Thus, the Silwood legacy, which elevated the quality of homemade pies, also lies at the foundation of the beloved Friday pizza order.
Decades later, the author notes his connection to Silwood and Butler’s, and also mentions the presence of Rotherham pizza on Butler’s menu, which is one of the most popular dishes. This spicy variation, according to the author, is dedicated to taste, tradition, and some youthful mistakes, and once led to his dismissal from Butler’s.
Currently, Silwood Kitchen is participating in the competition for 'Best Culinary Institution in Africa 2026.' The author believes the school deserves this award because it represents an original culinary dynasty, and Leslie, Alicia, and Karianne are cultural icons. Without them, in the author's opinion, many famous chefs or Butlers' signature tomato sauce would not exist.
The author urges readers of 2oceansvibe to vote for the Silwood School of Cookery to demonstrate the value of tradition and excellence. Furthermore, it is mentioned that Silwood graduates, such as James Haag, who is a chef at La Colombe, helped the restaurant receive the 'Restaurant of the Year' title in 2024 and was included in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list. James's mother, Gay Haag, teaches at Silwood School of Cookery herself, demonstrating the passing down of talent from generation to generation.



