Bella’s Kitchen

In its essence, Bella’s Kitchen is a love letter, to those people important in her life, and to herself. Yes it’s a cookbook, but it’s also more than just another book of recipes built around a theme. Isabella Niehaus has written this as a musing on every stage of her life, from her days growing up in the rural Free State, through glamorous globe-trotting fashion editor and loving mother, then successful restaurant host, to the award-winning and beloved author she now is. The beautifully photographed chapters reflect the recipes that best complement this journey (including some from her foodie friends), suitable for every occasion, but delicious, instinctive, adventurous and unique – just like Bella herself. Self-taught cook Isabella Niehaus (or Bella to those who know her) discovered her passion for cooking in her later 50s when she started opening her home in Langebaan for lunches on Sundays. ‘Langtafel op die Duin’ became a fabulous experience for strangers to eat in someone’s home and then to become friends around these long tables. Her very first cookbook, Duinhuis, received a ‘Best in the World Award’ in the category Entertaining from the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2021 in Paris. She followed this during the Covid epidemic with two digital cookbooks: Isabella’s Mussel Feast and Isabella’s Pork Feast. Further Gourmands have been won for There’s a Vegan on my Verandah (and Daar’s ‘n Vegan op my Verandah in 2023 and Earthling Food (Skepselkos) in 2025. To crown all of these, There’s a Vegan on my Verandah was awarded Best of the Best Vegan Cookbook in the World at the 30th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards anniversary in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, held late in 2025. Now based in Riebeek-Kasteel, Bella shares her home (and kitchen) with three dogs and three cats, and may be found most days tending her extensive garden.