Food enthusiasts and braai lovers are in for an unforgettable culinary experience as The Smoke & Grill prepares to host its first-ever Monthly Open Fire Feast at Mantenga Lifestyle & Craft Centre.
Built around the concept of an all-you-can-eat open-fire feast, the event promises premium meats, rich flavours and a relaxed atmosphere centred around great food and good company.
Behind the experience is Sipho Khaile, proprietor of The Smoke & Grill and the braai master responsible for the business’s popular outside catering services. Sipho says the idea was born from years of requests from customers wanting to experience the same private catering setups the company is known for.
“We’ve catered for weddings, birthday celebrations, emalobolo ceremonies and even large corporate functions like the Fourth of July celebrations at the Embassy of the United States and King Charles’ birthday celebrations at the British High Commission,” Sipho explained. “After seeing the quality and atmosphere at these events, many people kept asking us to create something open to the public.”
The result is a monthly feast designed to showcase the art of open-fire cooking while creating an immersive food experience for guests.
Unlike conventional dining experiences, the event allows attendees to witness the cooking process up close. From sizzling steaks to slow-roasted meats turning over open flames, the feast is designed to engage all the senses.
“We want guests to appreciate slow-cooked meat prepared right in front of them,” said Sipho. “People will even be able to choose how they want their beef cooked, whether medium or medium rare.”
For Sipho, quality remains the foundation of the entire experience. He believes the difference lies not only in the fire itself, but in the skill and ingredients behind it.
“Fire is fire,” he said, “but knowing how to control it is what matters. We use quality organic grass-fed beef that’s tender, flavourful and naturally rich in taste.”
The menu for the inaugural edition has been carefully curated to cater to a wide variety of tastes. Guests can expect everything from pig on the spit and tomahawk steaks to tacos, chicken birds to cocktail burgers and vegetables cooked over open flames and mac ’n cheese.
“Most of the menu comes from our standard open-fire outside our catering offering,” Sipho explained. “We only added a few comfort items like mac ’n cheese to cater for children and different preferences.”
The balance between traditional braai favourites and modern comfort foods was intentional, allowing guests with different palates to enjoy the experience equally.
“Our customers enjoy different flavours,” he said. “It was important for us to combine traditional braai culture with modern comfort foods so everyone feels included.”
While the inaugural edition will not feature live performances, the event will still offer a warm and social atmosphere with background music complementing the experience.
“We want the food to be the star,” Sipho shared. “This is about people enjoying conversations, relaxing and connecting around great food.”
Guests attending for the first time can expect an atmosphere filled with smoke, flames and irresistible aromas from the moment they arrive.
Hosting the feast at Mantenga Lifestyle & Craft Centre adds even more to the experience. The venue’s atmosphere, local craft stores and surrounding food outlets create an environment where guests can enjoy more than just a meal.
“Mantenga Lifestyle is the perfect venue because it offers so much variety,” Sipho explained. “There’s a wine boutique with different beverages, while Boa M Dia and Pizza Vesuviowill offer desserts outside of the E200 package. Guests can also explore arts, crafts and clothing stores such as the Delightful Emporium while they enjoy the feast.”
With tickets already moving quickly and nearly half reserved, Sipho encouraged food lovers not to miss out on the opportunity to be part of the first edition.
“We have limited tickets available, so people shouldn’t wait too long,” he said. “This is a chance to enjoy premium open-fire cooking at your own pace while trying different flavours and sauces like chimichurri that pair perfectly with our steaks.”
Although the cooking technique will remain rooted in authentic open-fire preparation, future editions are expected to introduce new flavours and menu additions to keep the experience exciting.
“The technique stays the same, but the flavours will continue evolving,” Sipho revealed. “For the next edition, we’re already planning lamb on the spit and different vegetables.”
As anticipation builds, The Smoke & Grill’s Monthly Open Fire Feast is shaping up to become one of Eswatini’s newest lifestyle and food experiences, bringing together fire, flavour and community in one unforgettable setting.
