Latest news with #Riffel
SowetanLIVE
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- SowetanLIVE
Recipes for a happy life
Professional chefs, like Reuben Riffel who is on our cover, spend their entire lives figuring out how to coax new - flavours from familiar ingredients. Imagine cooking every single day, often in high-stress environments and with paying guests on the receiving end of your labours: either you innovate or you get bored. Never mind where his ability to cook up a storm comes from, Riffel has been astonishing South African diners for a few decades now, and he's still happy – and at peace – in the kitchen. While he's known for his food, his restaurants, his associations with spices and for having shaken up Mzansi's culinary landscape, in our interview with him he shares his perspective on finding a new outlook on life in his 50th year. Riffel doesn't get bored because he is constantly reimagining - flavours, textures and recipes. He is also figuring out how to do more with less, to simplify, and to share his love of food with others. It helps that he is constantly searching for ways to fill his cup, add to his knowledge base and continue growing and learning, no matter how much experience and knowledge he already has. In this issue, we not only get a measure of Riffel's calm, measured approach to life in the fast lane, but we also take a look at ways of filling your leisure time productively, including some fresh ideas about how to transform your outdoors spaces into green oases by planting up a storm (page 16). In our travel section (page 6), we set sail, not only on the seven seas, but also on that most vaunted of waterways, the Nile. We also look at a few ways cruising is evolving as some ships get larger and others turn to niche destinations for adventure seekers. We're cognisant, too, of anxieties around wealth and the value of money in uncertain times. In our reader-friendly nance section (page 10), we focus on offshore investing as an opportunity to spread those nest eggs around a bit. We also take a slightly tongue-in-cheek look at estate living (page 14), specifically the outlandish promises of estate agents and their advertisers, to discover what's worth investigating before laying down a deposit. Red wine is on the rise, again, and on page 19 we look at why in this year of a major Pinotage anniversary, such compelling experiments in blending are adding depth to the local wine industry. And, finally, on page 20 we have a few tips about how to dip into the fun, but sometimes tense world of art auctions, without freaking out and dropping cash on work nobody actually wants. Happy reading – and remember to try to keep trying out new recipes and to never stop experimenting with unfamiliar ingredients. Editor. Keith Bain
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Recipes for a happy life
Professional chefs, like Reuben Riffel who is on our cover, spend their entire lives guring out how to coax new flavours from familiar ingredients. Imagine cooking every single day, often in high-stress environments and with paying guests on the receiving end of your labours: either you innovate or you get bored. Never mind where his ability to cook up a storm comes from, Riffel has been astonishing South African diners for a few decades now, and he's still happy – and at peace – in the kitchen. While he's known for his food, his restaurants, his associations with spices and for having shaken up Mzansi's culinary landscape, in our interview with him he shares his perspective on finding a new outlook on life in his 50th year. Riffel doesn't get bored because he is constantly reimagining flavours, textures and recipes. He is also guring out how to do more with less, to simplify, and to share his love of food with others. It helps that he is constantly searching for ways to fill his cup, add to his knowledge base and continue growing and learning, no matter how much experience and knowledge he already has. In this issue, we not only get a measure of Riffel's calm, measured approach to life in the fast lane, but we also take a look at ways of lling your leisure time productively, including some fresh ideas about how to transform your outdoors spaces into green oases by planting up a storm (page 16). In our travel section (page 6), we set sail, not only on the seven seas, but also on that most vaunted of waterways, the Nile. We also look at a few ways cruising is evolving as some ships get larger and others turn to niche destinations for adventure seekers. We're cognisant, too, of anxieties around wealth and the value of money in uncertain times. In our reader-friendly nance section (page 10), we focus on offshore investing as an opportunity to spread those nest eggs around a bit. We also take a slightly tongue-in-cheek look at estate living (page 14), specically the outlandish promises of estate agents and their advertisers, to discover what's worth investigating before laying down a deposit. Red wine is on the rise, again, and on page 19 we look at why in this year of a major Pinotage anniversary, such compelling experiments in blending are adding depth to the local wine industry. And, finally, on page 20 we have a few tips about how to dip into the fun, but sometimes tense world of art auctions, without freaking out and dropping cash on work nobody actually wants. Happy reading – and remember to try to keep trying out new recipes and to never stop experimenting with unfamiliar ingredients.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘My life turned into a roller coaster ride': Champaign woman clean, educated and employed after help from non-profit
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The challenges of homelessness look a little different for anyone experiencing it, and it isn't always what you think it is. 'It could be your next-door neighbor, it could be anybody that winds up in that situation,' Nico Riffel, a participant at CU at Home, described. Champaign sister duo preparing to participate in 'One Winter Night' together In fact, she's a perfect example of just that. She never imagined living in transitional housing or experiencing homelessness herself, but with grit, help, and determination, she's turning her life around. 'I didn't experience homelessness until I was 40 years old. I owned a home, had a career, a Cadillac, the whole nine yards,' Riffel explained. But when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she lost her home and job, went through a divorce and struggled with addiction. 'My life turned into a roller coaster ride the last 10 years,' she described. After moving out of Chicago and getting comfortable in Champaign, she found CU at Home and enrolled in various programming options. In the past year, she has made big strides. 'I have gotten my license back that I haven't had in 13 years, I've gotten a truck, I have a part-time job, I'm enrolled at the U of I in the Odyssey program,' Riffel said. With the program, participants are enrolled in regular classes, working to earn four college credits for free. Raffle for U of I basketball tickets to benefit C-U at Home Riffel plans to graduate in May and wants to earn her commercial driver's license (CDL) after. That's not her only goal, she has also gotten involved in the community and discovered new passions through Prosperity Gardens. 'I had never gardened in my life,' she said. 'It turned out to be a big passion of mine, that I'll probably continue to do the rest of my life.' After working for one year, she has already been promoted to a manager position. Riffel is also living independently with the help of CU at Home and has re-established a relationship with her parents. In January, she also cleared her record and wrapped up a two-year probation case. After that, she was able to accept a job that she otherwise wouldn't have had. 'This program is near and dear to my heart and has completely changed my life for the better,' she said. She wants others to succeed, too, and feels the organization's 'One Winter Night' event can make that possible. 'Just to feel what it feels like to not have the comforts of home just for one night, sometimes is eye-opening,' Riffel described. One Winter Night starts Friday, Feb. 7th at 6 p.m. in Downtown Champaign near The Venue. 82 people have signed up, and the organization has raised $37,678. The goal is $135,000. To donate, sign up, or learn more information, visit this website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
