BLOEM - JULY 2024

At Kitchen Gypsies, you can find colourful
popcorn, bobotie pizza and pink coffee just
to mention some of our favorites. Owner,
Charlotte-Ann Aucamp, invited the Get It
team to explore some of the dishes on the
menu, and we were left in awe.
“Food and creation nurture the soul and
make me feel alive. Owning my own business allows me the
freedom to create and ‘play’ – where working for someone I
create their art and not my own,” said the Food and Beverage
Institute alumnus.
Charlotte-Ann explains that she and her partner, Carel Herbst,
decided on the name Kitchen Gypsies because they have
worked in a few restaurants.
“We felt we became travellers in different kitchens. Gypsies
are travellers, so with our menu, you will experience different
areas, different places, different cultures, different flavours and
ingredients. With the menu, we like using what we can find or
source, as natural as possible and I get to play with any flavour
I feel like to add to the ingredients when I am making a menu,”
she expressed.
Charlotte-Ann recalled how she travelled in America and most
of the Western Cape for a couple of years. She then travelled to
China where she spent three years learning and working in some
of the most amazing kitchens. “Covid-19 made me come back
to South Africa where I had a coffee shop in Bloubergstrand. My
then business partner decided to sell the shop and I built a food
truck and started our Kitchen Gypsy adventure.”
Today, the colourful restaurant stands out in the opulent
Woodland Hills Village in Bloemfontein.
“The food truck industry is much faster paced. You need to have
a quicker turnaround time as in a restaurant setting because,
there are a lot more people at once who want to be served right
away. In the restaurant setting I can provide more options in
more of a relaxing environment. I love both the fast-food truck
and the slower restaurant work, it is about balance!”
The 31-year-old mentioned that finding the right ingredients
and having to figure out replacement of substitutes where
it’s needed often pose a challenge for her as she aims to
incorporate organic and home-grown ingredients to authentic
dishes and recipes.
“It is also about figuring out how to draw people in to try
different, sometimes unusual flavours as people are hesitant to
try something new. Food has always been my passion and the
biggest reward is when people appreciate the effort and taste
the passion I put into each dish I make,” she said.
The Get It team watched her as she meticulously prepared the
Pork Belly Ramen dish. Every second counted, and so did every
technique.
“I think ramen must be the most unique item we sell other
than marmite and cheese on toast! Ramen is a traditional Asian
noodle dish that I used to eat a lot in China. It reminds me of the
culture and good times I had. It’s a must-try,” she said.
Charlotte-Ann’s playful approach to Kitchen Gypsies and food is
not only inspired by her travels but also by her childhood.
“As a child I used to cook potions in my little garden house,
which later turned into me cooking for my family and guests. My
dad is also a big lover of cooking, so we have loads of cookbooks
and recipes everywhere! I learned a lot from cooking in different
countries as well as from different places and cultures. I gained a
lot of knowledge and recipes I like to still use to create a unique
experience,” she said.
When she is not tweaking traditional recipes, she enjoys taking
her sister’s dog for walks on Sundays.
“I don’t have much time for owning a pet! Hunting is one of my
favourite hobbies that I like to do with my family during my off
time. I have a love for gardening and plants as well,” she said.
If you are daring enough to try something new while taking a
trip down memory lane with all the childhood favourites she
serves, make a turn at Kitchen Gypsies, where you can have a
good chat and a wholesome meal.
Inspired by her travels around the world, a local chef and
restaurant owner has brought her love for creativity and food
together with a unique menu and atmosphere that will definitely
leave you nostalgic for somewhere you have been before.
getitmagazine.co.za/bloemfontein
July 2024 Get It Bloemfontein 9