This is Our Story

Our Story — The Journey That Became Nyama

Nyama began back in 2002 in the university town of Stellenbosch, South Africa, as a small idea shared by two friends: Johannes Burger and George Zaayman. With opportunities at home limited, the two made the tough decision to head abroad — and if they were leaving, they were determined to take a little piece of South Africa with them.

For us, a BBQ — or a braai, as we grew up calling it — is never just food cooked over fire. It’s a cultural ritual. A gathering. A moment where people connect, relax, laugh, and share. It’s something deeply social and proudly South African… and we quickly discovered that cultures around the world feel the same way about their own flame-cooking traditions.

As we travelled and cooked, Nyama naturally evolved far beyond its South African beginnings. We discovered that every region has its own iconic way of cooking over fire — techniques so tied to the local identity that they become part of who people are.
Argentine Asado, Portuguese Churrasco, Italian wood-fired cooking, American BBQ, Mexican tacos al carbon, Indian tandoor, Thai sticky BBQ, English lamb roasts… the list is wonderfully endless.

And that became our mission:

To bring these authentic BBQ traditions — and the cultural experiences behind them — to events across the UK.
For our clients, it means food that’s adventurous, flavour-packed, generous, theatrical, and memorable. Not just a meal, but an experience guests talk about long after the day is over.

In 2012, Werner Pretorius joined the team, bringing years of food-and-beverage expertise and helping elevate Nyama’s kitchen to a new level. Under his guidance, we built the strong chef team we’re known for today. Around the same time, we expanded into mobile bar services to offer a seamless, all-in-one event experience.

And that brings us to now.

Twenty-plus years later, we’re proud to be recognised as one of the UK’s go-to caterers for weddings, corporate events, private parties, and everything flame-kissed.

This is our story — and we’d love to become part of yours.
Whether you’re planning a wedding, hosting a corporate celebration, or throwing the kind of party people remember, we’d be honoured to fire up the BBQ for you.