It’s a perfect afternoon at Saseka Tented Camp, you’re enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, and next you’re offered a Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Milk Crumble, Strawberry Leather, Pomegranate Pearls and Beetroot Mousse. Sounds delicious, we know, and we have our pastry chef Megan Barclay to thank for such delectable treats!

Megan grew up as the youngest in a family of four in the city of Johannesburg. Many childhood holidays were enjoyed in the bush at various lodges and Megan attributes her love for the bush to those younger years. 

Life Before Thornybush

Megan completed her culinary training in Johannesburg at HTA School of Culinary Art and went on to work at Jamies’ Italian Melrose Arch (of the Jamie Oliver franchise) alongside Chef Shane Smit. Her time spent working in the city ranged from high-end restaurants, to hotels and even as a private chef for a family; but it was a trip in 2017, to visit a friend in the Kruger Park, that reminded her how much she loved the peace of the bush.

A year later Megan completed her in-service training at Rock Fig Safari Lodge Villa in the Timbavati and after three months of experiencing what it was really like to live in the bush, her mind was mind up!

A Valuable Member of the Team

Megan has been with the Thornybush team since June 2019 and her favourite part of the job is seeing the guests’ reactions to the food that is prepared. “I love observing, how, in situations such as ‘bush dinners,’ food brings people together. Plus, the environment that I work in makes me forget that I am even at work and I enjoy every moment of everything I do.”

When she’s not in the kitchen creating delightful desserts, or out enjoying a jog or a cycle, Megan enjoys cultivating her own little vegetable patch, finessing her skills in origami, or fishing. 

We wish you a wonderful future with the Thornybush family, Megan!