Unlock the secrets of Fehmz's 'Damn Good Food': the cookbook that turns digital cooking into culinary gold

Fehmida Jordaan, better known to her thousands of followers as Fehmz, has long been a familiar face in South African kitchens.

With her signature catchphrase “damn good” and an online presence that radiates warmth and relatability, she has built a digital community that thrives on flavour, fun and family.

Now, she brings that same energy from the screen to the page with her first cookbook, “Damn Good Food”.

Known for her bold flavours and accessible approach to home cooking, Fehmz first rose to prominence through television and social media.

She recently appeared on “Ready Steady Cook" and has quickly become a fan favourite for her down-to-earth charm and infectious enthusiasm.

Over time, she transformed her digital platforms into spaces of culinary inspiration, where colourful recipes and laughter meet practicality.

“Damn Good Food” captures everything that defines her cooking philosophy. It features more than 80 recipes that balance comfort, creativity and convenience.

From family favourites such as mutton akhni, mince curry and coconut pudding to inventive creations like chilli bite waffles, karak ice cream and kataifi millefeuille, Fehmz ensures there is something for every kind of cook.

“I must admit I was quite resistant at first,” she said about her decision to write a cookbook.

“Mainly because of self-doubt. I had no idea if I was worthy of putting these easy recipes into a book. But once I got over that and really listened, I knew it was just what was needed - to share the joy I had in cooking with everyone, not just the easy recipes but the memories too."

"I’m hoping people build their own memories around good food.”

The book’s structure mirrors her online personality: vibrant, generous, and a little cheeky.

Beyond the recipes, readers will find a conversion guide, practical swaps and a full chapter dedicated to her signature flavour-boosting essentials - including her “magic masala”, “red dynamite sauce” and an “addictive fruit sprinkle”.

One of the most striking things about the book is its visual energy. Every page bursts with colour and personality - a deliberate choice, Fehmz explained, to capture the liveliness that defines her online world.

“I tried my best to keep the book true to myself,” she said.

“It is harder when it is a static picture because I am a talker more than anything, but I knew that the best way to translate my energy would be through my love for colour."

"The pages are bright, fun and full of life - all thanks to a great editorial team who understood the assignment.”

Behind the recipes, there is a deep sense of family and heritage. Fehmz has always credited her love for cooking to the women who came before her, and she made sure their legacy was front and centre in the book.

“I wanted to pay homage to the recipes that shaped me and were shared by my family,” she said.

“My mum’s akhni and my Noorjan maasi’s coconut pudding are both in there. Those recipes carry the taste of my childhood and the feeling of home. It would not be ‘Damn Good Food’ without them.” 

Assembling the book, however, came with challenges. Deciding what to leave out was particularly difficult.

“It was definitely choosing which recipes to include and which to cut,” she admitted.

“That was by far the hardest part because there were so many more I wanted to add. The dedication, introduction and acknowledgements took the longest to write because they are so deeply personal.”

While the cookbook is her first, it does not feel like a departure from the digital world that built her career. Instead, it feels like an extension - a way to bring her “food that hugs you back” philosophy to a more intimate, tactile space.

“For me, cooking should feel more fun than intimidating,” she said.

“It is achievable and affordable, and can be a place of quiet comfort and lots of joy. I hope readers grab this book and just start trying one recipe at a time - even if it is from the blender section or the easy-peasy section.”

Her relationship with her audience remains central to everything she does. Fehmz’s followers often turn to her for quick midweek meals, inventive dessert ideas and honest advice about life in and out of the kitchen.

For her, "Damn Good Food" is another way to connect with that community - and to invite new readers into the fold.

“Food that hugs you back and makes you smile - that is a love language that transcends digitisation,” she said.

“It connects people by heart, whether it is through a screen or in person. I want this book to be an extension of that, a way to continue the connection or build a new one.”

With “Damn Good Food”, Fehmz proves that what started as a digital journey can evolve into something timeless. Her recipes may be playful and simple, but they come wrapped in a philosophy that values authenticity, joy and togetherness.