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<\/p>\nMeet culinary darlings, Tebo and Lebo Ndala. The powerhouse twins behind With Love From The Twins. They\u2019re bubbly, bold, and beautifully in sync\u2026 and they\u2019re proving that when it comes to food, two hearts (and spoons) are better than one.<\/p>\n
If joy had a smell, it would be the buttery sweetness of brandy pudding cooling on the counter. Or maybe the rich aroma of oxtail simmering away on the stove in the Ndala household. For twin chefs, sports nutritionists, and award-winning cookbook authors Tebo and Lebo Ndala, food has always been more than a meal. It\u2019s memory, connection, and pure creative joy.<\/p>\n
\u201cCooking makes me feel like I\u2019m creating something spectacular,\u201d says Lebo with a sneaking smile. \u201cIt\u2019s art. I love art, and I love creating and that\u2019s how cooking feels to me.\u201d
\nBorn and raised in Mamelodi, Pretoria, the twins\u2019 story starts at home, surrounded by family, good food, and the kind of love that gets folded into every dish. Their mom, Elizabeth, sparked their passion early on, while their grandmother Koko taught them the art of soulful, traditional cooking. Think gemere ginger beer and scones warm from the oven.<\/p>\n
That early spark turned into full-blown fire when the sisters decided to study culinary arts in Stellenbosch, followed by a stint at UCLA Extension in Los Angeles. \u201cIt was incredible,\u201d they say. \u201cWe taught Americans about braais, and they taught us about Thanksgiving!\u201d
\nThey freelanced for magazines, assisted on food shoots, and even worked with foodie icon Siba Mtongana. But it was their own dream that really began to simmer. \u201cWith Love From The Twins started as a blog,\u201d says Tebo. \u201cWe were sharing our recipes and food experiences and it grew into pop-ups, private catering, mentoring students, and a brand that we want to keep growing into something huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
Huge is no exaggeration. Their first cookbook, Food Stories, didn\u2019t just make it onto bookshelves. It was crowned the third Best African Cookbook in the World at the prestigious Gourmand Awards. Not bad for two sisters who describe themselves as \u201cgoody two shoes\u201d in the kitchen.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwins in the kitchen? It\u2019s always double trouble,\u201d they laugh. \u201cWe sing, we dance, we joke, but we always get the work done.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Holiday spirit and homegrown flavour<\/strong> Tebo\u2019s go-to is butter chicken with Jasmine rice, while Lebo never misses a brandy pudding. \u201cWe\u2019re super equal when we cook together, we delegate tasks well,\u201d they say. \u201cIt\u2019s like a choreographed kitchen dance.\u201d<\/p>\n Some of their sweetest memories are the simplest, like staying up late, making their cousin\u2019s cheesecake recipe, and eating far too much of the filling. And their dream dinner lineup? \u201cOur mom, because she\u2019s such a cool vibe, Ma\u2019am Dorah Sitole, as she taught us so much about South African classics and ignited a love for African cuisine in us, and Michelle Obama because, honestly, she\u2019d make for an incredible conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n Twin life and tasty tricks<\/strong> Being twins, they say, is both grounding and energising. \u201cThere\u2019s no one who gets you like your twin,\u201d says Lebo. \u201cBut the constant comparison? Please stop. It drives us crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n Rooted in culture, seasoned with soul<\/strong> Their pop-up restaurants are where they truly shine. \u201cEach one is different. Our Chinese-themed pop-up with hot pot dinner was marvellous – the flavours, the vibe, the Chinese fortune cookies at the end \u2026 it felt like we\u2019d travelled without leaving the country.\u201d<\/p>\n And while they\u2019re adventurous with flavour (Lebo\u2019s current obsession is cumin and coriander in everything), their pantry staples remain delightfully simple, onions, curry powder, and rice. \u201cYou can\u2019t go wrong with the basics done beautifully.\u201d<\/p>\n Cooking up change<\/strong> And they live by a mantra that feels like a kitchen commandment: \u201cDo not despise the season you\u2019re in right now. It\u2019s shaping the future you.\u201d<\/p>\n They\u2019re all about gratitude, growth, and good health. And yes, plenty of rooibos tea. In fact, they even use it to replace salty and high-in-sodium stock in stews, their top health hack!<\/p>\n Life, love and a dash of adventure<\/strong> And their ultimate foodie fantasy? \u201cDinner with Gordon Ramsay. He looks like he\u2019d be so much fun.\u201d<\/p>\n As for what\u2019s next? \u201cMore pop-ups, more travel, more inspiring students,\u201d they say. \u201cAnd definitely more rooibos-infused recipes!\u201d<\/p>\n With double the passion, double the creativity, and endless heart, Tebo and Lebo continue to serve up a message as warm as their cooking – food is love and they\u2019re dishing it out … with love from the twins. Food Stories, R379, loot.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n The twins\u2019 tips for surviving the holiday season:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2022 Always make sure that you have cookies in the house for pop-in guests. Frozen berry tart<\/strong><\/p>\n You\u2019ll need:
\nAsk them what\u2019s cooking this festive season, and the answer is as warm as their personalities. \u201cThe holidays are all about family and food! We\u2019ll probably serve something hearty, like oxtail stew and samp risotto and definitely brandy pudding or Malva pudding for dessert.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nYes, Tebo is the slightly taller one with a mark in her right eye. But if you ever find yourself trying to tell them apart \u2026 good luck. \u201cWe\u2019ve been known to pull a little twin magic when one of us isn\u2019t feeling well,\u201d they giggle. \u201cOne of us pretends to be two of us \u2026 and nobody notices. It\u2019s a skill.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nNo matter how far they travel, the twins always carry South Africa with them. \u201cWe love celebrating our culture and heritage wherever we go,\u201d says Tebo. From chakalaka and tripe to boerewors hotdogs and rooibos glazed koeksisters, every dish tells a story. One of home, history, and a shared heart.<\/p>\n
\nBetween pop-ups, recipe shoots, and content creation, Tebo and Lebo still find time to mentor students at Rietondale High School and the University of Pretoria. \u201cBeing able to inspire young chefs is so fulfilling. It\u2019s a full-circle moment every time,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n
\nWhen they\u2019re not cooking, you\u2019ll find the Ndala twins curled up with a good book, visiting coffee shops, or chasing their energetic nephew around. Their travel bucket list? \u201cMorocco. The food, the colours, the spice markets!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/12\/food-stories-295x400.jpg\")
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\n\u2022 Store the ice cream tub in a plastic bag and it\u2019ll keep the ice cream soft-scoop ready to serve. Ice cream sandwiches, anyone?
\n\u2022 Stick to what you know. If you\u2019re a first-timer, don\u2019t try to cook something you\u2019ve never cooked before.
\n\u2022 For savoury pastry dishes, cook them a few days before and freeze them until you need them.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/12\/FROZEN-BERRY-TART-from-their-cookbook-320x400.jpg\")
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\n1 roll (400 g) shortcrust pastry; 2\u00bd cups cream cheese; \u00bd cup condensed milk; 4 cups mixed frozen berries; fresh mint leaves, to garnish; icing sugar, for dusting
\nTo make:
\nPreheat the oven to 180\u00b0C. Grease and prepare mini individual tart dishes.
\nRoll out the pastry, cut into circles big enough to fit the tart bases and prick the pastry with a fork.
\nBake for 10-12 min until they are golden brown.
\nRemove them from the oven and allow to cool completely.
\nFor the filling, mix the cream cheese and condensed milk until well combined. Pour into the prepared tart cases and chill in the fridge.
\nTop with the frozen berries and mint.
\nSprinkle with icing sugar and serve immediately.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/12\/chicken-267x400.jpg\")
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