19–20 November 2026 | Leonardo Royal Hotel The Hague
The flavours and culinary traditions of South Africa will take centre stage in The Hague on 19 and 20 November 2026, when the Embassy of South Africa and South African Tourism present a special South African Food Festival at Leonardo Royal Hotel The Hague. The event will feature renowned South African chef Zola Nene, who will personally prepare the culinary experience in collaboration with the hotel’s chef, Sido de Brabander, and his team.
Open to the public, the two-day festival will offer guests an opportunity to discover South African cuisine through the creativity and expertise of one of the country’s best-known culinary personalities. The event will bring South African gastronomy to a Dutch and international audience, introducing visitors to the country’s food traditions and the cultural influences that shape its diverse culinary identity.
Chef Zola Nene: Celebrating South African Cuisine
Zola Nene is an award-winning chef, food stylist, television personality and cookbook author whose work has introduced South African cuisine to audiences both at home and internationally. She trained at the Institute of Culinary Arts in Stellenbosch after discovering her passion for cooking during a professional experience in the United Kingdom.
Her television career began as resident chef on South Africa’s Expresso Morning Show on SABC 3. She subsequently appeared as a judge on The Great South African Bake Off and MasterChef South Africa, and presented her own cooking programme, Celeb Feasts with Zola.
Nene is also the author of several cookbooks, including Simply Delicious, Simply Zola and Simply Seven Colours. Her publications have received international recognition at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Her cooking draws inspiration from South African food heritage, familiar ingredients and the presentation of traditional dishes in accessible, contemporary ways.
For the November festival, Nene will personally cook and work alongside Chef Sido de Brabander and the Leonardo Royal Hotel’s culinary team to curate a menu celebrating South African gastronomy. The menu is currently in preparation, with further details to be announced.
A Taste of South Africa in The Hague
“South African cuisine reflects the country’s varied cultural heritage, regional traditions and locally available ingredients. From traditional home cooking and vegetable-rich dishes to distinctive spices, grilled specialities and celebrated desserts, its food culture offers a wide range of flavours and culinary stories” Said H.E. Mr. Vusi Madonsela, Ambassador of South Africa.
The festival will provide an occasion to explore this heritage in an international setting, bringing together gastronomy, cultural exchange and hospitality. The collaboration between the Embassy of South Africa, South African Tourism and Leonardo Royal Hotel The Hague highlights the role of food in introducing a country’s culture and traditions to new audiences.
The presence of Chef Zola Nene, working directly with the hotel’s culinary team, will give the festival a distinctive character. The menu will be developed to present a South African food experience to guests in The Hague, with more information on the dishes.
Event Details and Reservations
South African Food Festival
- Dates: Thursday, 19 November, and Friday, 20 November 2026
- Venue: Leonardo Royal Hotel The Hague
- Address: Van Stolkweg 1, 2585 JL The Hague, The Netherlands
- Organisers: Embassy of South Africa and South African Tourism, Leonardo Royal Hotel and Diplomat Magazine.
- Featured chef: Zola Nene, in collaboration with Chef Sido de Brabander and the Leonardo Royal Hotel culinary team
The festival is open to the public. Reservations are strongly recommended to ensure that a table is available.
Location: Leonardo Royal Hotel The Hague – Google Maps.
Diplomat Magazine will continue to share updates as the South African Food Festival takes shape, inviting readers to mark their calendars for two days of South African culinary culture in The Hague.
