A Table in the Corner

S2-39. East City Grill + Yakiniku - Jaycee Ferreira

Russel Wasserfall Media Season 2 Episode 39

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0:00 | 21:41

In this episode of A Table in the Corner, I sit down with chef Jaycee Ferreira of East City Grill & Yakiniku in Cape Town’s growing Harrington Street precinct. We explore why so many chefs are drawn to Japan, and how a trip to Tokyo opened JayCee’s eyes to a side of Japanese food culture far beyond sushi.

We talk about his journey into hospitality, the challenge of combining a steakhouse and a traditional yakiniku experience under one roof, and the farm-to-fork philosophy behind the restaurant’s own Wagyu beef programme. Along the way, we discuss umami, nose-to-tail cooking, restaurant precincts, and why Japanese cuisine continues to inspire chefs around the world.

A thoughtful conversation about food, culture, craft and finding new ways to tell familiar stories through cooking. 


  • www.rwm2012.com
  • On Instagram @a_table_inthecorner
  • Cover image sketched by Courtney Cara Lawson
  • All profile portraits by Russel Wasserfall unless otherwise credited
  • Title music: 'In Time' by Olexy via Pixabay