There is a certain innate skill which cooks worth their salt possess. Salome Jansz appreciates the nuances of fine cuisine and having travelled extensively is aware of the authentic tastes of many cuisines. This coupled with her talent and love for cooking made her start her own catering business named Simply Delicious by Salo. As clichéd as it sounds, Salome did have a passion for cooking from a young age. She recounts that her earliest memories were of the kitchen which provided her with a canvas for creativity and a source of joy. “ The alchemy of flavours, the artistry of presentation, and the experience of sharing a meal have always held a profound significance in my life from the time I was a young school girl” she explains.

Her culinary journey started with the recognition she received from her friends, family and colleagues when she made food for clients who came to the office. Salome realized that food had the power to evoke emotions, create memories, and foster connections, and slowly it just grew into a business venture that she is passionate about today. Salome likes to tell everyone she makes 'comfort food'. “Comfort food is all about indulgence in sweet, high-calorie and easy-to-make food. For me, comfort food is the complete opposite of that. It’s all about that perfect blend of rich flavours that one would enjoy with every bite. It’s about cooking to get that perfect texture, the perfect colour that not only provides the comfort of taste but ensures that it provides the full experience across other senses. To put it simply, I don’t do a large range of food. I specialize in a few signature dishes, but I also try and introduce new dishes every now and then. Although it’s a process, I will not put out a new dish until I know it's perfected and deliver on the same experience that the current products have.”

One of the key questions I posed to Salome is how she manages to keep her business afloat despite the rising cost of living. “If you buy a pie from Simply Delicious you will notice the pie is 100% meat.  With the increase in prices of ingredients, we still ensure that our pies are 100% meat. So yes when I look at a lot of other competition in the market I am not sure if I can say that my prices are competitive but we use the best of the ingredients and don’t mix it with fillers. We have always given our customers the best in culinary experiences and that has been the success of our business.”

Speaking about her signature dishes Salome says “We do have a few that are always a talk of the town. This includes our Chicken Pie in its flaky, golden crust enveloping a savoury symphony of tender chicken in a rich, flavourful gravy. And for those craving a hearty and indulgent experience, our Roast Pork with homemade mustard is a firm favourite. This dish showcases the perfect marriage of succulent sliced pork and a tangy, artisanal homemade mustard. Our Moussaka, a harmonious blend of layered flavours featuring eggplant, minced meat, and creamy béchamel, is an ode to the Mediterranean. Sweet indulgence takes centre stage with our Chocolate Biscuit Pudding, a decadent treat that captivates taste buds with its luscious layers of chocolate and biscuits. Lastly, the nostalgia-infused charm of our Bread and Butter Pudding, adorned with a hint of warmth and sweetness, completes our signature lineup. These are a few dishes that burst with flavours and impress taste buds, and my ardent customers can’t get enough. They’re always in demand because they keep coming back for more."  

A fair number of Salome’s clients are those who approach her to order food for a dinner party or a special occasion. Salome says when it comes to a dinner party you must invite people who truly love good food and savour every bite. The atmosphere gets even better when everyone around the table enjoys the culinary experience. “ Plan the menu with care, making sure it’s full of amazing flavours that cater to different tastes. A well-thought-out menu guarantees that each dish is a treat for the taste buds, leaving a lasting impression on your guests. Lastly, don’t forget about the setting. Create an environment that’s both cosy and classy, a backdrop that complements your carefully prepared food and the company you’ve gathered. When you combine tasty food, a carefully chosen guest list, and a welcoming atmosphere, your dinner party turns into a perfect celebration of great food, good company, and the creation of unforgettable memories” she explains.

Many people find curating a menu for a dinner party a daunting task and are often left confused. Despite the array of dishes she prepares, Salome says she likes to select a menu that has a mix of flavours. “ We can start with the Orange Rocket and Avocado Salad in honey vinaigrette, a refreshing combo of tangy citrus and creamy avocado. The star of the main course is the Sliced Roast Pork with homemade zesty mustard, stealing the spotlight. The Crab Bake keeps it real with pure 100% crab goodness and loaded with cheese. Garlic Bread adds a cosy touch, and choosing between Chicken Moussaka and Lasagna is a delicious dilemma with each bringing its own unique flavour layers. Garlic Prawns and tangy German Potato Salad add some extra flavour punches. For dessert, you’ve got to decide between the light and fluffy Eton Mess or the cosy Bread and Butter Pudding drenched in warm custard! This menu is all about making the dinner party a feast for everyone’s taste buds and creating unforgettable flavours.”

Explaining her style of cooking Salome says, “I’m a bit of a mix between sticking to a recipe and going with the flow. I like having recipes as a guide, but I can’t help myself from adding my own touch to each dish. Playing around with ingredients, tweaking amounts, and throwing in some unique twists is just my kind of interest. It’s in these spontaneous changes that I find the flavours that really suit my taste buds, and based on all the positive feedback I get, it seems others enjoy my creations too. The fun isn’t just in strictly following a recipe; it’s in the freedom to turn it into something that’s totally my own.” Maybe that is what makes her culinary offerings simply delicious!