Chef John Ferdinand
Private Chef In Riviersonderend
Get to know me better
Filipino chef with Classical European training and expertise in French, Modern, and Asian Cuisine.
I'm an internationally-qualified chef with wide-ranging expertise in most major cuisines. I have run three very popular restaurants as head chef in the Philippines, set up a new Southeast Asian restaurant in Port Elizabeth, and was the Food Creative for Stir Food under the Aleit Group of Companies in Somerset West. I specialise in modern interpretations of classics and bold, unusual flavours but can just as much dish up a hearty, rustic meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
More about me
For me, cooking is...
A universal crossroads where people, regardless of status and background, can come together and connect.
I learned to cook at...
The age of 10 by watching my late grandmother cook. I was never allowed to touch anything in the kitchen but I always cooked in secret.
A cooking secret...
Is creativity and feeling. It allows me to make something great out of what's available. And whenever you feel good, it reflects in the food.
My menus
Kinilaw (Tuna Ceviche in Ginger, Chili, and Coconut Cream)
Pork, Ginger & Scallion Dumplings with Soy Dipping Sauce and House-made Chiu Chow Chili Sauce
Vegan Dumplings (Mushroom, Scallion, and Garden Vegetables)
Sotanghon (Vermicelli Rice Noodles in Soy-Chicken Broth and Chili Oil)
Pansit (Stir-fried Noodles with Seasonal Vegetables)
Lumpia (Filipino Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces)
Vegan Lumpia (Mushrooms and Seasonal Vegetables)
Adobo Wings (Chicken Wings in a Sticky-Sweet Adobo Glaze)
Sopas (Pulled Chicken in a Creamy Soup with Pasta and Garden Vegetables)
Gambas (Prawns in Tomato, Chili, and Garlic)
Pork Adobo on Garlic Fried Rice (Braised Pork in Soy and Artisanal Vinegar)
Inasal (48-hour Marinated Grilled Chicken on Forbidden Rice)
Inihaw (Soy-Marinated Grilled Pork Belly with Sweet Potato and Mango Salsa)
Fried Tofu and Chop Suey
Inihaw na Isda (Pan-Grilled Seasonal Fish with Steamed Bok Choy and Mango Salsa)
Pinakbet (Summer Vegetable Stew and Steamed Rice)
Turon (Fried Banana/Plantain-Filled Pastries in Caramel with Vanilla Ice Cream)
Cassava Cake (Coconut and Cassava with Custard and Lime)
Leche Flan (Indulgent Flan in a Deep Caramel Sauce)
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Roasted Tomato Bruschetta
Pesto Dip
Caprese
Mozzarella Arancini on Marinara Sauce and Basil Oil
Linguine Carbonara
Eggplant parmigiana
Linguine Marinara
Braised Chicken all'Arrabiatta on Creamy Polenta
Roast Chicken in a Lemon-Cream Sauce with Rocket and Buttered Green Beans
Pan-grilled Linefish with Polenta and Orange-Dill Gremolata
Exotic Mushroom Risotto
Coconut Panna Cotta on Mango-Lime Coulis
Madagascan Vanilla Panna Cotta with Berries and Honey-Roasted Granola
Zeppole and Orange Cream
Semifreddo Coconut-Mango
Orange, Pistachio, and Brandy Semifreddo
Coffee-Caramel Panna Cotta
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Caesar Salad
Waldorf Salad
Seaweed Onion Rings with Citrus Aioli
Buffalo Wings
Potato Chowder
Mussels in Garlic Butter
Spaghetti and Meatball
Slow-Cooked Brisket in House-made Barbecue Sauce with Fondant Potatoes and Glazed Carrots
Sticky Barbecue Ribs with Mashed Potato and Roast Vegetables
Bacon Cheeseburgers with Caramelised Onions and Spiced Fries
Steak and Potatoes (Sirloin in Garlic Butter with Maple Marble Potatoes and Roast Carrots)
Meatloaf (Barbecue-Coated Meatloaf with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables)
Apple Pie a la Mode
All-American Banana Split
Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanila Ice Cream and Caramel
Deep-Fried Snickers a la Mode
View full menu
Kinilaw (Tuna Ceviche in Ginger, Chili, and Coconut Cream)
Pork, Ginger & Scallion Dumplings with Soy Dipping Sauce and House-made Chiu Chow Chili Sauce
Vegan Dumplings (Mushroom, Scallion, and Garden Vegetables)
Sotanghon (Vermicelli Rice Noodles in Soy-Chicken Broth and Chili Oil)
Pansit (Stir-fried Noodles with Seasonal Vegetables)
Lumpia (Filipino Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces)
Vegan Lumpia (Mushrooms and Seasonal Vegetables)
Adobo Wings (Chicken Wings in a Sticky-Sweet Adobo Glaze)
Sopas (Pulled Chicken in a Creamy Soup with Pasta and Garden Vegetables)
Gambas (Prawns in Tomato, Chili, and Garlic)
Pork Adobo on Garlic Fried Rice (Braised Pork in Soy and Artisanal Vinegar)
Inasal (48-hour Marinated Grilled Chicken on Forbidden Rice)
Inihaw (Soy-Marinated Grilled Pork Belly with Sweet Potato and Mango Salsa)
Fried Tofu and Chop Suey
Inihaw na Isda (Pan-Grilled Seasonal Fish with Steamed Bok Choy and Mango Salsa)
Pinakbet (Summer Vegetable Stew and Steamed Rice)
Turon (Fried Banana/Plantain-Filled Pastries in Caramel with Vanilla Ice Cream)
Cassava Cake (Coconut and Cassava with Custard and Lime)
Leche Flan (Indulgent Flan in a Deep Caramel Sauce)
View full menu
Roasted Tomato Bruschetta
Pesto Dip
Caprese
Mozzarella Arancini on Marinara Sauce and Basil Oil
Linguine Carbonara
Eggplant parmigiana
Linguine Marinara
Braised Chicken all'Arrabiatta on Creamy Polenta
Roast Chicken in a Lemon-Cream Sauce with Rocket and Buttered Green Beans
Pan-grilled Linefish with Polenta and Orange-Dill Gremolata
Exotic Mushroom Risotto
Coconut Panna Cotta on Mango-Lime Coulis
Madagascan Vanilla Panna Cotta with Berries and Honey-Roasted Granola
Zeppole and Orange Cream
Semifreddo Coconut-Mango
Orange, Pistachio, and Brandy Semifreddo
Coffee-Caramel Panna Cotta
View full menu
Caesar Salad
Waldorf Salad
Seaweed Onion Rings with Citrus Aioli
Buffalo Wings
Potato Chowder
Mussels in Garlic Butter
Spaghetti and Meatball
Slow-Cooked Brisket in House-made Barbecue Sauce with Fondant Potatoes and Glazed Carrots
Sticky Barbecue Ribs with Mashed Potato and Roast Vegetables
Bacon Cheeseburgers with Caramelised Onions and Spiced Fries
Steak and Potatoes (Sirloin in Garlic Butter with Maple Marble Potatoes and Roast Carrots)
Meatloaf (Barbecue-Coated Meatloaf with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables)
Apple Pie a la Mode
All-American Banana Split
Oreo Chocolate Chip Cookies with Vanila Ice Cream and Caramel
Deep-Fried Snickers a la Mode
View full menu
Kinilaw (Tuna Ceviche in Ginger, Chili, and Coconut Cream)
Pork, Ginger & Scallion Dumplings with Soy Dipping Sauce and House-made Chiu Chow Chili Sauce
Vegan Dumplings (Mushroom, Scallion, and Garden Vegetables)
Sotanghon (Vermicelli Rice Noodles in Soy-Chicken Broth and Chili Oil)
Pansit (Stir-fried Noodles with Seasonal Vegetables)
Lumpia (Filipino Spring Rolls with Dipping Sauces)
Vegan Lumpia (Mushrooms and Seasonal Vegetables)
Adobo Wings (Chicken Wings in a Sticky-Sweet Adobo Glaze)
Sopas (Pulled Chicken in a Creamy Soup with Pasta and Garden Vegetables)
Gambas (Prawns in Tomato, Chili, and Garlic)
Pork Adobo on Garlic Fried Rice (Braised Pork in Soy and Artisanal Vinegar)
Inasal (48-hour Marinated Grilled Chicken on Forbidden Rice)
Inihaw (Soy-Marinated Grilled Pork Belly with Sweet Potato and Mango Salsa)
Fried Tofu and Chop Suey
Inihaw na Isda (Pan-Grilled Seasonal Fish with Steamed Bok Choy and Mango Salsa)
Pinakbet (Summer Vegetable Stew and Steamed Rice)
Turon (Fried Banana/Plantain-Filled Pastries in Caramel with Vanilla Ice Cream)
Cassava Cake (Coconut and Cassava with Custard and Lime)
Leche Flan (Indulgent Flan in a Deep Caramel Sauce)
View full menu
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