When Nhlamulo Nthane first began sharing meals on WhatsApp - quick photos, casual captions, everyday dishes, there was no master plan. No vision board. Just a love for food, and a quiet desire to share that love with others.
Today, his page Simple Made Gourmet has grown into a warm and thriving corner of the internet. Known for hearty stews, creamy pastas, and authentic South African comfort food, Nhlamulo’s recipes aren’t just easy to follow, they feel like home.
But the real story is how it all came to be. And why it still matters so deeply.
Nhlamulo’s journey began in his mother’s kitchen. First came the basics. Then came the baking. Muffins, malva pudding, scones. Anything to satisfy a sweet tooth and spark a little joy. Cooking came later, almost out of necessity.
“When I moved out for university, I realised I couldn’t just live on rice and pasta,” Nhlamulo laughs. “I didn’t even know how to cook pap properly.” That’s when Google became his sous-chef, and inspiration came in the form of a cousin who introduced him to the Instagram food page Dine with Neo, a creator who continues to inspire him to this day.
His first successful dish? Lasagna. “I shared it on WhatsApp, and friends kept saying, ‘Start a page!’ Eventually, one of my closest friends bullied me into doing it, and that’s how Simple Made Gourmet was born.”
Nhlamulo started the page in 2021 during his first year of university. A time of transition, pressure, and big life changes. What began as a fun outlet quickly became an emotional anchor. A way to manage the chaos of student life, a form of therapy, and a place to feel grounded.
“Cooking was the thing that held me together. I poured everything into those dishes, not just flavor, but feeling.”
The community that grew around him made it even more meaningful. People started requesting recipes, sharing photos of their recreations, and celebrating the simplicity of his cooking. “They’re not just followers, they’re part of the journey,” he says.
True to the name, Simple Made Gourmet is all about elevating the everyday. Nhlamulo’s recipes are budget-friendly, beginner-friendly, and deeply relatable, often crafted from pantry staples and common supermarket ingredients.
But the soul of his page is unmistakably South African. “If there’s a cloud in the sky, I’m making stew,” he jokes. Whether it’s a rich beef stew served with creamy spinach and potato salad, or a pork dish slow-cooked to perfection, Nhlamulo leans into the cozy, nostalgic flavors he knows and loves.
His other comfort? Pasta. “Creamy chicken pasta, spaghetti bolognese - pasta is definitely my happy place.”
As the page grew and brand deals started rolling in, the line between passion and pressure began to blur. “Suddenly, what was fun became work. And I felt myself burning out,” he admits.
He kept going, until he couldn’t. He took breaks, learned to pause, and eventually found his way back to joy.
“You can’t create when you’re not okay. I had to stop and remember why I started in the first place.”
His advice for others? Start with what you have. Stay in your lane. Don’t compare. Your beginning is valid, even if it looks different from someone else’s middle.
Now working full-time in IT, Nhlamulo continues to nurture Simple Made Gourmet, one heartfelt dish at a time. His dreams for the future are exciting, but deeply personal.
He hopes to host pop-ups across the country, giving his followers a taste of what he’s been cooking behind the screen. And maybe one day “a cookbook,” he smiles. “That’s for much later in life… maybe a retirement project.”
But for now, it’s about consistency, joy, and slowly making space for bigger things. “There’s a spot for everyone,” Nhlamulo says.
“Everything you want is achievable. You just have to start.”
Follow Nhlamulo on Instagram 👉 @simplemadegourmet You’ll find more than just recipes. You’ll find comfort, community, and inspiration to start where you are.
Updated on 10 Dec 2025
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