Duncan Welgemoed’s best life
SALIFE gets to know Africola founder Duncan Welgemoed, who is bringing his culinary artistry to the Adelaide Fringe along with three top Aussie chefs for The Garden Feasts, and a new Garden of Unearthly Delights food experience called The Flamin’ Galah.
Describe the best day of your life.
The best days of my life were the births of both my children. It was an extremely proud moment and for them to both be born healthy and with all their fingers and toes was pretty excellent. Now that they are either teenagers or almost there, the cuteness has been replaced with grunts and sarcasm.
What brings you joy in life?
Cooking for my family and friends is something I truly value. It’s always a big deal and no matter what’s happening in the world, relishing those small moments is very important to me.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given?
“A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” — George Bernard Shaw
What is your most treasured photograph?
I love this photo. I can’t remember who the shoot was for, but my kids were hilarious and totally uncooperative which, if you have been in a shoot with me, you’d know that’s pretty much what I aim to achieve.
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Describe the best meal you’ve ever eaten.
The best meal I have ever eaten was at St John restaurant in London. It is my favourite joint of all time, and the laser focus and single narrative of the place is something I strive to achieve at Africola. I could eat there for every single meal, every single day. Think Welsh rarebit, braised oxtail and mash, bone marrow and parsley salad and a magnum of claret. Perfection.
What are the best qualities of your favourite person?
Humour, loyalty, ambition, knowing the value of downtime.
What are the best five songs on your playlist?
- Nine Inch Nails – Suck
- Radiohead – Pyramid Song/Codex
- PJ Harvey – The Garden
- Die Antwoord – Fok Julle Naaiers
- Miriam Makeba – The Click Song
What was your best purchase?
My best purchase has to be my gaming consoles. We are a family of gamers and it’s the best de-stress meditation device than doing any amount of cold plunges or tanning your perineum can provide. Facts.
The Garden Feast is on Monday, March 3 and Monday, March 10.