The urban metropolis of Johannesburg is not a city associated with agriculture. Even though it is home to the planet’s largest urban forest, it is a financial centre, not a farming centre.

Residents and visitors alike are surprised to discover, however, that the City of Gold is home to some beautiful, small scale farms and kitchen gardens, producing top quality organic produce. Some are inner city, like the Bambanani Farm in Bertrams, downtown Johannesburg.

 Mama Refiloe’s surprisingly large sanctuary of fresh produce is an oasis in the concrete jungle of Jozi. In Muldersdrift, Joburg countryside about 40 minutes outside of downtown, you’ll find Antonia de Luca’s Leafy Greens. The family farm provides produce for both Leafy Greens and the famous Casalinga.

The farm makes you feel that you are in Mozambique, it’s almost tropical. And Daniela Gutstadt’s Culinary Table, next door to Lanseria airport, has two kitchen gardens with stunning views across the landscape to the Magaliesberg mountains.

On the full day Farm to Fork Culinary Safari, we visit each of these farms, enjoying a feast of fresh, imaginative and delicious dishes. Each location serves up something very different. At Bambanani, it’s a deeply African spread, tracing back to the vegetarian roots of South African cuisine. At Leafy Greens, it’s vegetarian and vegan fusion foods. And at the Culinary Table, the meat lovers will be delighted! (So will the vegetarians and vegans, don’t worry).