EAT, COOK, LOVE: COOKING UP A STORM AT THE EAST COAST RADIO HOUSE + GARDEN SHOW 2026

Right at the heart of the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show, is the Hirsch’s Kitchen, powered by The Kitchen Studio, and populated by some of the province’s top culinary heroes. Dems, tastings, laughter and learning – make sure you have a seat!

The Hirsch’s Kitchen calendar of dates and times is out, so if your favourite chef’s name is there, diarise it! Fabulous Chef Gummy is the MC, and get this – there’s absolutely no charge at all for those visiting the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show. It’s the Kitchen where all ages are welcome, you’ll enjoy tasters and recipes, get six demos of one hour each daily, and there are giveaways galore. Whether you’re a vegetarian or a hearty meat eater, a chocoholic or a dessert fiend, there’s an accomplished and entertaining chef ready to teach you something deliciously new! From 11am daily, somebody skilled will be stepping up and showing you how it’s done.

Keeping it real, is energetic Fehmida "Fehmz" Jordaan, the prominent South African food and lifestyle content creator and author of the cookbook Damn Good Food. That’s what she makes. Fehmz focuses on good, simple home cooking that doesn’t intimidate! She blends her South Asian heritage with her South African upbringing, so expect everything from steamy curries to favourite classics.

German born, Durban bred, Johannes Richter is the multiple award-winning chef from The LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate. A fervent champion of KwaZulu-Natal produce, Chef Johannes is renowned for locally sourced ingredients, with a strong focus on sustainability and ethical farming practices. With that number of awards under his belt, it’s a privilege to watch him at work. Be there.

Meet Leigh Hill and Philly Hill, the talented sisters behind Fig and Fork, a personalised event catering company. From weddings to private home functions, they’ll show you how it’s done. For the Show, they’ve curated a sensational focaccia charcuterie spread, plus they’ll show you how to make the dough and plate it perfectly with cheese, hams and more. You’ll also learn how to make a whipped pate or dip to go with it. Entertaining’s never looked this good…or easy!

Leigh Hill and Philly Hill Fig and Fork

Hands up for chocolate, baking and pastry. Chef Sumaiyah Sheriff is Ganache Art, a masterful chef who focuses on artisan chocolate, confectionery, desserts, and culinary education. She’s conjuring up a modern tiramisu dessert…with a twist. She says it’s inspired by the viral fruit-shaped dessert trend…and she’s chosen to reimagine this classic Italian favourite in the shape of a coffee bean. Perfect to elicit a round of applause at your next dinner party!

Chef Sumaiyah Sheriff is Ganache Art, a masterful chef who focuses on artisan chocolate, confectionery, desserts, and culinary education.

Everybody’s favourite Jackie Cameron of Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, will be showcasing different food genres. A massive supporter of local - celebrating what we have in KZN - Jackie spends time learning and understanding local cuisine. She calls her style Heritage Food, so expect delicious, unpretentious, honest food. Also expect gluten free – she was recently diagnosed, so if that’s you, best you get here to pick up some hints and tips. She’d love some of yours, too!

Jackie Cameron of Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton

Mom Nontobeko Nxumalo, a content creator and foodie, was always on the hunt for simple, delicious meals that brings a family together around the table. Today, that passion’s grown into creating and sharing recipes, food ideas and lifestyle content with her audience: “I enjoy showing everybody that cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be enjoyable and memorable.” Look out for her and her healthy, family-friendly recipes.

Nontobeko Nxumalo, content creator and foodie.

The Hirsch’s Kitchen is going to be on fire at the Show. Think Sweet Potato & Leek Soup with Caramelized Bacon Strips and Focaccia, thanks to Chef Linda Mnikathi. Wrap your tastebuds around Salted Caramel Cheesecake & Basque Burnt Cheesecake by Shahistah Khan (mykitchenza) and Priyanka Chanderdeo (Inspired by pri !). From Uthika Naidu - Braised by Uthika - to Joshua Jacobs, the Hirsch’s Kitchen is packed with celebrity chefs who celebrate the joy of cooking – they’re well-known chefs, influencers, models, you name it, a wonderfully aromatic potjie of personalities, flavours and full-blown entertainment.

Your seat’s waiting for you at the Hirsch’s Kitchen at the East Coast Radio House + Garden Show 2026. 

The stage is being set to Dream, Create, Live and Eat, Cook, Love  – diarise it. June 27 to July 5.

Good to Know

Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre

Parking: Secure Parking available at Centrum opposite DEC /Workshop / ICC

Dates: 27 June to 5 July 2026

Show times: Daily 10am – 9pm. Sundays 10am – 8pm

Tickets available from Quicket.

THE GREAT KZN OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE

Go outside, breathe, and feel the difference. You’ll have all the feels at the 2026 East Coast Radio House + Garden Show.  From contemporary outdoor lighting to custom braai firepits, decking to camping trailers, the Show has gone All Out!

Outdoors is in, and KZN loves to get out there. Whether it’s in your own garden, or bundu bashing over dirt roads, it clears your head and heart. This year’s Show brings you a vast range of quality patio and garden enhancements, camping trailers and twinkling garden lights, a myriad gadgets and goodies to enhance your outdoor experience. Beyond merchandise, there’s a great line-up of wonderful interactions with those heroes who protect our wildlife all the way through to those who’re out to prove their braai skills are better than yours. 

Is your patio a little tired and dated? Does your townhouse garden need embellishment? Looking for the perfect camping tracks or trailers? Investing in your lifestyle is worth every cent!

Nothing brings magic to an outdoor area like garden lights, and the Inta-Stellar Group is showing off their three core string light ranges. Upgraded with new features, they’re the answer to everybody’s “I want outdoor lights I don’t have to worry about.” Call it ‘a true set-it-and-forget-it’ solution for the outdoor entertainer.

Nothing drags down an outdoor area than lacklustre grass. Make a beeline for the Sixbar Irrigation and Lawn Specialists who focus on creating and maintaining exceptional outdoor spaces…without putting your water bill on the boil. They help you manage water efficiently, with professionally designed irrigation systems, through to back up water solutions and landscaping, too. Water management expertise meets practical outdoor lifestyle improvements. Talk to them. 

Fancy a chilly ice bath, a steamy sauna or bubbly spa on your patio? Of course you do. Porta Spa manufactures locally, installs and services them…for over 30 years. Durable outdoors or in, with a reputation for the most economical products in the industry, you’ll be happy with their seven year warranty. Come dip your toe in the water.

Looks like wood, feels like wood…but none of the upkeep? Come see, touch and walk on the premium Composite Wood at Best Deck’s stand. They import, supply and install a fully co-ordinated range of products – with sample boards in every colour and grain - including decking, wall cladding, balustrades, gates, pergolas and shade screens. They use a UV-stabilised blend of bamboo, recycled wood fibres and recycled HDPE plastic, specifically to suit South African conditions. With guarantees ranging from 10 to 25 years depending on the product, that decking will be around for the next generation.

Guess who’s cooking with gas? Builders is, with some real hotties from ALVA outdoor appliances. A firm family favourite is Alva’s Cibo Stainless-Steel Gas Outdoor Pizza Oven with a 30cm Pizza Stone, and the Alva Mojave 4 Burner Drop-In BBQ Gas Braai which integrates seamlessly into an outdoor kitchen – it’s a stainless-steel built-in unit designed for precision grilling, searing, and indirect cooking. Pair it with the superb Tramontina Churrasco 15-Piece Braai Set, the Ultimate Master Braai Kit designed for prep and serving. And to shed a little light on proceedings, Alva’s Split Pole Patio Gas Heater in stainless steel is a bright idea for nightlife outdoors.

Over cutting your lawn? Art Grass has you covered…in premium artificial grass. It’s the ultimate low-maintenance, versatile and long-term value solution that withstands our climate and water challenges. Artificial greenery and decorative plant walls are becoming increasingly popular, so have a look at Art Grass…it may be the right solution for you.

Outdoor fanatics, unite! The wildly interactive Khakibush magazine stand will be the hottest hub for everything out there, from wonderful custom braai firepits to wildlife experts, extraordinary vehicles and exceptional camping trailers. Follow the aromas…it’s Khakibush’s BraaiBoss Challenge, and for both Saturdays of the Show, you’ll watch the best braaiers in KZN having a preliminary braai-off for the title of supreme BraaiBoss! Entertainment is going up in smoke! It’s going to be highly interactive, so come and enjoy the best of the KZN outdoor lifestyle…and you could win over R100 000 worth of prizes.

With Father’s Day just around the corner - giving a ticket to someone special may just be the answer for a gift for him. Come on out to this year’s East Coast Radio House + Garden Show, and see what’s missing from your KZN outdoor lifestyle toolkit. It’s sure to be at the Show.

The East Coast Radio House + Garden Show takes place from June 27 to July 5 at the Durban Exhibition Centre.

Tickets are available online via quicket.co.za or housegardenshow.co.za or at the entrance on the day.