Karen Dudley

Growing up in Cape Town, Karen Dudley learned to celebrate diversity. After studying all the wrong things at university, she worked in a historical mansion in Washington DC where she discovered new possibilities of what could be done with food. In England Karen worked at Finn's on Chelsea Green, just off the King's Road. There she learned how to 'do' parties amongst the who's who of London society, and gained acknowledgement as a chef in her own right. Back in Cape Town, Karen settled in Woodstock and started her own catering business. Over time it gained dedicated clients and loyal staff and then a shop front: The Kitchen. Besides being the home base for Karen's catering operation, The Kitchen has become a celebrated eatery serving the gorgeous and talented folk of Woodstock. It is the heart (and stomach) of a boom of creative new businesses, boutique shops and industries in the area. And Karen is right there bringing sustenance to locals and visitors in this funky little neighbourhood, with legendary salads and her signature Love Sandwiches.