Ongeipi, I’m so glad you are here.
My name is Ester. I was born and raised in Namibia, but now residing in Germany with my husband and our daughters. At the end of last year, my debut cookbook, Africa Made Easy, was published in German by Christian Verlag, a leading cookbook publisher in Germany.
I started this food blog in 2018, a few months after becoming a first-time mum. What began as a hobby has grown into a place where I share our family’s favourite recipes from around the world, with a special focus on authentic Namibian and German cuisine.
My Love for Cooking
I grew up in a small village in northern Namibia, where I learned to cook traditional dishes such as Oshifima, Oshingali, Fat Cakes and Marathon Chicken with freshly made marula oil from my mother, both of my grandmothers and my aunts. This is where my love for cooking began.
Even back then, my relatives used to rave about my food. I still remember my cousin Kondja telling me how much he missed my cooking whenever I returned to boarding school after spending the weekend at home.
In my early twenties, after earning my bachelor’s degree in Geology and working for a few months, I received a scholarship to study for a master’s degree in Germany. It was my first time leaving Namibia, and my first time on a plane.
When I came to Germany, my plan was to complete my master’s degree and return to Namibia. But life had other plans. I met my now husband, Jo, and instead of moving back home, I settled in Bavaria, in southern Germany, where my mother-in-law, Beate, an incredible cook and baker, introduced me to authentic Bavarian home cooking.
If you’ve ever wondered why the hands in many of my German recipe step-by-step photos aren’t mine, now you know, they belong to Beate!
What to expect from this blog
On this blog you’ll find delicious and easy-to-follow recipes with photos, from busy-day dinner, Sunday roasts, cakes, drinks to DIY.
Whether you’re looking for authentic Namibian recipes, German classics or dishes inspired by my travels, I hope you’ll find something you’ll love.
A Little More About Me
In 2018, I appeared on the German TV show Das perfekte Dinner (the German version of Come Dine with Me). I also had the honour of representing Namibia at two international beauty pageants.
Whenever we travel, I love discovering local food and taking cooking classes.
In my free time, I sing in a choir, teach Afro dance classes to children as a volunteer at our local sports club, and serve as the chairwoman of Kwafa Namibia e.V., a non-profit organization dedicated to improving schools and educational opportunities in my hometown in northern Namibia.
One of my proudest achievements was learning German from beginner (A1) to fluent (C1/C2) in just five months after completing my master’s degree.
Growing up, I couldn’t wait to leave my little village in northern Namibia. It inspired me to work hard and pursue my education. Funny enough, now that I’m older, I love going back home and appreciate the simple village life more than ever.
I’m also a true foodie. I rarely eat out unless the food is exceptional, and I’ll happily plan an entire trip around discovering new flavours and cuisines.
And by the way, “Ester kocht” simply means “Ester cooks” in German.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope my recipes inspire you to try something new and bring a little extra joy to your kitchen.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!
Happy cooking!
Ester