Food made with love.
About Us
Our Ethos
We’re particularly proud to be working with so many small, local, artisan food producers who are behind much of what we sell through our restaurant. From our local bee keepers and meat curers to cheese makers and our free range chicken and egg farmer who supplies us exclusively. There is just so much energy and passion going into the making of some first-class ingredients, and supporting local is a part of who we are and what we do.
We know how unusual it is, in our time, to find food that is closer to the source, uncomplicated, unspoilt and emanating from genuine instincts. This idea of simplicity is one of our basic principles. Along with a sense of generosity and trust, passion and a love for what we do, it is what drives us to please our guests each and every time they visit La Cuccina or buy our ready meals for their homes.
We make a conscious effort to renew and re-craft as well as maintain our consistency. We always aim to deliver food that looks good with exceptional flavours and present and serve our food impeccably, creatively and with integrity.
Our cupboard is wide, our buffets and meals ever-changing, but our ethos of simple, wholesome, delicious and unpretentious, flavour filled food, remains the core from which all our creativity flows.
Our Meals
We take our food and ingredients extremely seriously and we respect the source. We make all our home meals right from scratch in the La Cuccina kitchen. We only buy raw ingredients and present food we would want to eat ourselves. We don’t use colourants or preservatives and we don’t freeze or refrigerate for long periods. We want our food to promote health whilst keeping our sense of tradition and originality.
Although many of our home meals can be frozen, (helpful to remember for busy moms and dads, as well as singles) we make them fresh every day and provide them chilled. You decide whether to eat today or freeze for another day. Our sell by and best before dates are your guarantee of their freshness. We buy mostly local produce, very often organic and/or free range.
We cook to feed, nourish and to share, applying the same care and love that you would at home when cooking for your family and friends. You’ll be surprised at the great value our convenient meals represent, not only when you taste them, but also when you consider cost of ingredients, and the time saved in not having to prepare and cook yourself. All prepared by hand with the finest, freshest ingredients.
From the classics to home style meals with a twist you’ll love our wide range of delicious, wholesome, restaurant quality meals. Perfect for those days when you don’t have time, or just don’t feel like cooking yourself – and you’re looking for food made with love rather than store bought ready meals or takeaways.
Our Chefs
Zanele - The heart of our kitchen and Traditional Cook
Zanele has been part of the La Cuccina family since the very beginning in 2006. Originally from Willowvale in the Eastern Cape, she has grown alongside the business, working her way through the ranks with dedication, care, and an unwavering work ethic.
Today, Zanele oversees one of the most important parts of our operation - the buffet. Zanele ensures that every dish is prepared and presented with the same quality and consistency that La Cuccina is known for.
Her favourite La Cuccina meal is our Chicken Pie with Bloemfontein Sweet Potato, a comforting classic that perfectly reflects her love for hearty, home-style food.
Like many of the incredible people behind La Cuccina, Zanele carries a dream close to her heart: one day owning her own home and car. Her journey with us is a testament to loyalty, growth, and the spirit that has shaped La Cuccina from the start.
Ian Gersowsky - Chef / Owner / Cheesecake lover
Ian has never quite mastered the art of standing still. Between the kitchen, the guests and the team, he’s usually moving somewhere - partly because he has a lot of love to share and food has always been his favourite way of doing it.
My earliest childhood culinary memory was the special moments I shared with my gran and grandpa in East London during the July school holidays. My gran (Poppie) always insisted that I help her in the kitchen, whether we were baking cakes, preparing for Friday day night supper (Shabbas) or putting together a regular lunch with my gramps and brother around the table. My Gramps even closed his business for lunch everyday – imagine if we were still able to do that today! What was immediately evident is that they absolutely loved the sharing and serving of their food made with love to their family and friends. Their appreciation of great fresh ingredients, our most precious resource time, and the enjoyment of the ritual of the preparation. These special encounters and priceless memories without a doubt shaped my career path and my love of food. To this day this ethos is manifested in La Cuccina and in me, the essence of which is 'never rush a good thing', 'slow down and appreciate what you have (family time)' and 'savour the love you put into food'.
Kerry
When I first opened La Cuccina in Hout Bay, it was never just about food. It was about people and about creating a space where the smell of our Bran muffins and the fragrant shot of our coffee meant you were home, even if just for a moment.
Over the years, La Cuccina has grown, but the heart behind it remains the same - real food, made with real love, shared with real people.
Our new store, La Cuccina @ The Baxter is an extension of that journey. It is a fresh chapter in a story rooted in community, care, and connection. We've brought with us the recipes that have stood the test of time, the culture of generosity and warmth that has defined our kitchen, and the belief that good food can bring people together in meaningful ways.
On a deeply personal note, I consider myself incredibly lucky to have Kerry at my side again.
She was with me from 2015 until COVID, and we always knew, deep down, that the day would come when we’d work together again. In 2024, that day arrived, and now she is partner in the business. I can honestly say that without Kerry returning to help, I don't think I could have managed physically or mentally, to achieve what we have.
She’s brought structure, clarity, and calm into La Cuccina, and for that I will always be grateful.
Together, we now stand as a team, not just running a business, but living a purpose. So, whether you're here for one of our signature ready meals, a slow morning with coffee and a croissant, or a quick chat with familiar faces - welcome. You’re not just entering a store. You’re stepping into something personal.
Welcome to La Cuccina. Welcome to our story.
With love,
Ian Gersowsky