A culinary experience created with ingredients foraged from the land and sea at the Veld and Sea kitchen in Cape Point.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Along the wild Atlantic coastline of Cape Point, South Africa, lies a hidden gem that celebrates the essential relationship between humanity and nature.
Veld and Sea, an innovative venture founded by passionate wild food artist Roushanna Gray, invites visitors into a world where the bounty of the land and sea is not just admired, but actively harvested and enjoyed.
Here, the vibrant intertidal rock pools shimmer with an invisible wealth - a tiny, untamed pantry brimming with culinary potential that inspires connection to the natural world.
Founded in 2013, Veld and Sea has evolved from intimate foraging workshops into a vibrant collective of chefs, educators, and foragers - all united by their love for nature, food, and sustainability.
This immersive experience offers a unique educational haven where participants learn to engage with their environment through seasonal workshops, events, and guided foraging adventures.
From coastal foraging excursions and wild mushroom hunts in autumn to edible flower feasts in spring, each season presents its own palette of flavours waiting to be explored.
A group of visitors washing mussels collected from the sea near Cape Point.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
Place of learning and connection
According to Gray, at the heart of Veld and Sea’s mission is a commitment to nurturing a deeper understanding of the ecological community that sustains us.
Gray and her team teach participants about sustainable and responsible harvesting practices, emphasising the importance of respect and reciprocity with the natural world.
With workshops that intertwine culinary creativity with education, guests are encouraged to explore the edible landscape that surrounds them, drawing a rich connection between food and nature.
For Gray, this journey began over 15 years ago - a passionate love affair with wild flavours sparked while wandering South Africa's diverse terrains.
Today, her Kitchen Cabin and sun-drenched Glasshouse serve as vibrant hubs for interaction, rolling out a continuous invitation to connect with the rhythms of nature through immersive, sensory experiences.
An immersive culinary experience; visitors gather together after foraging and practice food preparation.
Image: Armand Hough/ Independent Newspapers
The art of foraging
Foraging is an age-old practice that connects us to the land.
It involves gathering wild foods, from fragrant herbs to nutritious mushrooms, and reintroduces us to the cyclical nature of our ecosystems.
A hallmark of Veld and Sea's workshops is the exploration of foraging as both a practical skill and a philosophical lens through which participants can appreciate the world around them.
“Foraging allows people to slow down and engage mindfully with nature,” Gray explains.
"In a world filled with convenience, it reminds us of our place within our ecosystem, encouraging deep ecological awareness."
This unique outlook transforms the act of gathering food into a meditative experience, fostering not just an appreciation for the Earth but a deep-seated respect for its resources.
A meal prepared from seasonal foraged ingredients at Veld and Sea.
Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers
What to expect
When visitors arrive at Veld and Sea, they are immediately enveloped in a sense of wonder and community.
The hope is that every guest departs with newfound curiosity and a profound appreciation for the natural world.
Gray and her team guide participants in seeing the land and sea not merely as resources to exploit, but as living communities to cherish and protect.
Each workshop culminates in a beautiful, seasonal meal that celebrates the flavours of what has been foraged and learned throughout the experience.
This final lesson - the reminder to “eat your adventure” - encapsulates the joy and discovery participants have experienced, grounding the concept of sustainability in tangible, delicious results.
In essence, Veld and Sea stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration amidst the vitality of nature, urging everyone to step outside, engage with the land, and discover wild flavours waiting to fill their plates.
A journey into sustainability, creativity, and connection awaits, where nature not only nourishes the body but also enriches the soul.
