SA’s favourite vegan cookbook dominates on the world stage – again!
There’s a Vegan on My Verandah has once again been named the best vegan cookbook in the world. The last time it received this honour was at the 2023 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in Umeå, Sweden. Then, it was best cookbook of the year. This time it was up against cookbooks published globally over the past 30 years! The award was presented at the 30th Gourmand World Cookbook Summit in Riyadh at the end of November 2025.
The book, written by two remarkable South Africans and CN&CO friends, Louis Jansen van Vuuren and Isabella Niehaus, is co-published by CN&CO Publishing and our friend and fellow creative force, Hardy Olivier.
“Every now and then a project comes along that reminds you why creativity matters, why storytelling matters and why the right partnerships make magic possible,” says CN&CO founder Carel Nolte. “There’s a Vegan on My Verandah is one of those. What started as a deeply personal, beautifully considered collaboration between Louis and Isabella has now taken its place on the world stage.”
Fittingly, Isabella was in Saudi Arabia to receive the award, elegant as always, absolutely in her element, representing our country and this creative community with pride.
The book is published in English, Afrikaans and French, which already tells you something about its ambition and reach. It’s not trying to speak to one audience. It’s trying to feed and inspire as many as possible.
Louis and Isabella: ageless in the best sense
“One of the things I love most about this project is the spirit of its authors,” says Carel. “Louis and Isabella are both in their seventies – technically – but they move through the world with the curiosity, energy and playfulness of people decades younger.
“They cook, create, photograph, host, travel, write and inspire with a kind of unhurried confidence that comes only from a life lived fully. They are proof that ‘ageing’ and ‘slowing down’ are not synonyms. They remain bold, experimental and utterly alive.
“We need more of that,” continues Carel. “More makers who refuse to get boxed in. More people who show us what’s possible when you stay open to the world.”
Why this matters to us
Being co-publisher on this book isn’t just about ink on paper. It’s about backing people who create beauty, who tell stories that matter and who bring communities together. We’re proud to stand alongside Hardy and the authors – and proud that CN&CO Publishing continues to punch above its weight in a space dominated by much larger players.
This latest award follows others for our work and strengthens what we’ve always believed: when you prioritise relationships, craft and integrity, the results follow.
CN&CO is known as a brand consultancy, but the truth is we’re also a publishing house, a creative collaborator, a storyteller and – at our best – a connector of good people doing meaningful work.
Beyond the Verandah: new books, bigger vision
The success of There’s a Vegan on My Verandah isn’t where the story stops. Louis and Isabella have continued creating and recently released Earthling Food and its Afrikaans sister Skepselkos. The same blend of artistry, warmth, simplicity and generosity runs through these books too.
Yes, they’re recipe books. But they’re also cultural documents. They’re invitations. They are, at their heart, about how food connects us.
A long table is always open
“If you’ve never been to one of Isabella’s famous Langtafels, fix that,” says Carel.
Now hosted at her home in Riebeek-Kasteel, the long-table meals are among the most joyful gatherings you will find anywhere.
“Beautiful food. Proper conversation. Strangers becoming friends. A sense of belonging that is hard to fake,” says Carel. “It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after the plates are cleared.”
To order your copy, drop an email to bellaniehaus24@gmail.com.
