This month, we had a chat with Tebo and Lebo Ndala, the inspiring twins behind “With Love From The Twins”, known for their incredible culinary creations that celebrate South African flavours.

During our chat, Tebo and Lebo opened up about their journey and shared some great insights into the vibrant world they’ve built together. They also discussed the importance of community and representation in their work and how it influences every aspect of their business.

Let’s dive in!

Hey Tebo and Lebo. Tell us your story. How did you get into the food and media industry?

We’re from a township in the east of Pretoria called Mamelodi. We grew up with our mom who enjoyed cooking and cooked really well, and that made us fall in love with food. After high school, we decided to study to become professional chefs and that was our way into the food industry.You describe yourselves as creators and artists. Do you have specific rituals or routines that spark your creativity when working on a new project?

We love beautiful spaces - whether it’s a coffee shop, a gorgeous gallery or a picturesque dinner spot. Whenever we want to get inspired, we go to one of these spaces and spend some time there – people-watching, enjoying great food, having lovely conversations - and ideas usually start flowing from there.

With your company, "With Love From The Twins," you host masterclasses, pop-up restaurants and cater for private functions. How do you think these initiatives – and food in general - help build connections and foster a sense of community?

We love our mentorship programmes because we get to be the support we wished we had when we were students. These programmes create a safe space for the students and give them the confidence that someone is rooting for them.

Food in general has a way of bringing all kinds of people together. It breaks boundaries and borders, and we love the sense of community it creates.
 

Running a successful culinary company takes both creativity and strong business skills. How do you balance both aspects?

We’re so glad that there’s two of us because we can truly bounce ideas off each other and give support whenever we fall short.

On the business side of things, we upskill ourselves through studying and short courses. We know this is our passion, but it’s also our livelihood and legacy, and while we love the creative side, we see it as an investment in our future.

Looking back, what are some of the most memorable moments you've experienced since starting "With Love From The Twins"?

Our most memorable moments are definitely the places we’ve travelled to and the beautiful people we’ve met along the way. Running a business forces you to network, and we’ve been lucky enough to meet only the best people!
 

You not only have a successful company, but you've also won an award for your first recipe book, “Food Stories”. Congratulations! How important was it for you to showcase South African flavours and traditions in this book?  

It’s always important for us to tell our story, share where we come from and the flavours we grew up with. We’re very big on representation. We want kids who look

like us and come from where we do to believe in their dreams and to know that someone like them is pushing boundaries. Winning the award meant a lot to us and our career, but it was even more significant for the people around us. We added a South African twist to every single recipe in the book because we’re so proud of our culture. We wanted anyone who gets their hands on this book to understand how beautiful South African culture is and what it means to be proudly South African.

The culinary world is constantly evolving. How do you stay ahead of the trends while remaining true to your vision?   

We stay ahead by always trying to upskill ourselves - whether through more studies or taking new courses. We’re in a very competitive industry and for us to be marketable we need to stand out.

But in the process of upskilling and improving ourselves, we keep our focus on the things we truly care about and believe in. Luckily for us, the food industry is vast, and we have millions of options - media, nutrition, PR, etc, - that still allow us to stay connected to our true love: food.

You also have a passion for teaching and inspiring others. What advice would you give to someone starting in the food industry?

Our advice would be:

- Jump in wholeheartedly and embrace the industry.
- Remain consistent - even on tough days.
- Be a pleasure to work with; a great attitude will open doors along the way.
 

What are the next steps for "With Love From The Twins"?  

We truly want to reach more students with our mentorship programs. The ultimate dream is to build a “With Love From The Twins” studio, a safe space and hub for foodies and creatives who want to learn and grow.

And lastly, what does it mean for you to #LiveNaked?

To us, it means living the life of your dreams, waking up every morning excited about life (and its stresses) and to always be content.

Cheers Tebo and Lebo!

You can find out more about Tebo and Lebo here and don't forget to follow us on Instagram to catch our next edition of 2 Minutes with Someone Naked!