Who doesn’t like a good story of someone chasing their dreams? We find it super inspiring and try to catch up with one of these uplifting individuals once in a while to fuel our foodie fire. Recently we caught up with Michael Daniel, the owner and proprietor of Golden Brown Waffles in Cape Town.
Meet Michael. Based on first appearances, you’d assume Mike’s day job involves something slightly dangerous and very cool, like restoring vintage motorcycles. And you’d be right. He does indeed spend a rather substantial portion of his time working on his own collection of Japanese bikes from the late 70s and early 80s, and doing select private commission builds. You can check out his bike-related enterprise here. He also keeps busy with furniture craft and film industry projects. But that’s not the real reason we dig Michael so much. Get this – the man also makes a mean waffle.
The makings:
Every Saturday Mike put down his workshop tools and follows his foodie dream at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market in Cape Town creating waffles. Perfect, crispy waffles with fluffy insides, topped with ridiculously delicious things. Think strawberry-pecan with whipped coconut cream, drizzled with honey or maple syrup; or Nutella, banana and ice cream dusted with cinnamon sugar. This goes on your choice of a regular Belgian waffle or a gluten-free pumpkin waffle. And that’s just the sweet stuff! If you’re keen on something savoury, there’s a choice of a Belgian of zucchini waffle topped with three cheeses, smoked chorizo, avocado, sour cream and rocket. Oh, and naturally there are stroopwafels and fresh waffle cones as well. Just in case the rest wasn’t tempting enough.
WHERE DO I FIND THESE DELICIOUS THINGS?
Visit Mike at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market, every Saturday from 09:00 – 14:00. Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront (next to The Lookout event venue). See our recent story about the market here. It’s a great outing for the whole family, and a superb excuse to have a waffle for breakfast.
FUN FACT: The name of Daniel’s waffle business, Golden Brown, was inspired by the song of the same name by The Stranglers, and not by his delicious golden brown waffles. Go give it a listen again, it really warms your insides. Just like his waffles.
The name of Daniel’s bike business, Murdercycles, was just inspired by his general badassery.
Photography: Kleinjan Groenewald and Liezel Norval-Kruger
Writing: Anna-Bet Stemmet
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