I’m Mariza – chef, fire-cook, forager of flavors, and founder of Harvest & Flame.

This isn’t just a brand. It’s a piece of my soul.

Harvest & Flame was born from a fire that’s been burning inside me for years — a deep-rooted love for honest food, the kind that tells a story, brings people together, and reminds us of where we come from. I’ve spent my life cooking in kitchens, around firepits, on farms, and in far-flung places — always chasing connection through food.

After years of working in restaurants, food development, and running events across the country, I wanted to create something slower. More intentional. Something real. And so, Harvest & Flame came to life — with bare hands, borrowed braais, and big dreams.

🌱 The Start

Our first event was hosted outdoors with flames crackling, laughter echoing, and good people sharing even better food. It wasn’t fancy — but it was honest. That’s the heart of Harvest & Flame: down-to-earth gatherings filled with smoky cooking, seasonal ingredients, and stories worth sharing.

It began as a single fire, one shared table. But even then, I knew it was only the beginning.

🔥 What it is Growing Into

This brand is growing into a space for seasonal events, private fire-cooking experiences, meals from the flames, online cooking courses, and branded gear that reflects a lifestyle grounded in nature, smoke, and soul.

One day, I’ll host you on our own piece of land — a space with a view, a vegetable patch, and a fire pit always ready. For now, we bring the flame to wherever the fire calls us.

Welcome to the beginning.

Welcome to Harvest & Flame.

Born in Bethlehem in the Free State, I started cooking as soon as I could read — standing on a stool next to my mom, stirring pots and paging through recipe books like storybooks. From those early days with my mom, gran, and the fire wisdom of my stepfather, Oom Philip, my love for food only grew.

I’ve been working professionally in the industry for over 10 years, but my path wasn’t always straight. I studied Culinary Arts part-time at night school, graduating top of my class, while working full-time as a project manager by day — proof that passion can carve its way through even the busiest seasons.

Since then, I’ve cooked in restaurants, developed food products, run large-scale events, and traveled the country with flames, stories, and ingredients packed into the car.

Now, through Harvest & Flame

- I am excited to bring all those chapters together in my next event — one shared table at a time.