Kim Bagley's debut cookbook reaches number one in South Africa

Food content creator and author Kim Bagley was overcome with emotion when she learned her debut publication, Cooking with Kim Bagley: A South African Fusion of Flavours, had become the country’s top-selling cookbook - just three weeks after its release.

Ms Bagley received the news moments before her first Cape Town-based book launch, hosted by Exclusive Books at Canal Walk.

Expecting her book to still be ranked at number 67, as it had been two weeks prior, she was stunned when her team revealed it had climbed to the number one spot.

She jumped and squealed with joy as Ms Bagley proudly held up a rose-gold balloon shaped like the number one.

Applause and cheers filled the bookstore, echoing down the mall’s corridors as she made her entrance.

Well-known chef, food stylist and presenter Clement Pedro conducted an on-stage Q&A with Ms Bagley, discussing her journey, inspiration, and the creation of her much-anticipated cookbook.

Ms Bagley describes herself as “a Cape Town-born girl,” who married a man from Durban, and raised her children in Johannesburg - experiences that inspired the fusion theme of her book.

“In Cape Town we have the gatsby, in Durban we have the bunny chow, and in Jozi we have our kotas. Our country just has this beauty of difference, from culture to culture,” she said.

Ms Bagley’s culinary journey began in the home as a young woman, but became a sensation when she started posting photos of her meals on social media.

“I started sharing pictures to show what I could do, and soon people were asking for recipes,” she said. 

What began as “Homecooking in SA” eventually evolved into her widely followed page, Cooking with Kim Bagley.

Her move into video content was sparked by an unexpected voice note from the late, beloved culinary icon Fatima Sydow. 

“I freaked out when Aunty Fatima messaged me. I couldn’t believe it. She asked for a call, which turned into a very nervous video call, but she gave me the best advice anyone could ask for,” said Ms Bagley.

At the time, her shy nature made the idea of appearing on camera daunting.

“I focused the camera on the food and utensils and only did voiceovers,” she said. 

That approach worked, and now Ms Bagley has more than 200,000 followers across social media platforms.

The idea for a cookbook took shape after inspiring comments from her TikTok followers.

 But when she first approached a publisher two years ago, she was advised to wait.

“I was told I wasn’t ready, and I’m glad I listened. Perhaps back then, the book wouldn’t have been a hit, so patience is key,” she said.

Cooking with Kim Bagley is dedicated to her late parents, Peter and Beryl Bagley, and features recipes they taught her, many of which are family favourites from Sunday lunches and gatherings. 

Among them is the koeksister recipe from her first video, which she credits to Ms Sydow’s influence.

The cookbook is divided into three chapters: Comfort, Spice, and All Things Nice. It features recipes such as snowballs, seafood paella, lamb curries, and baked cheesecake.

Ms Bagley said the most challenging part of the process was the All Things Nice chapter, which includes delicate cakes and desserts.

“If you don’t get them right, you have to do them over and over. But I’d do it all again - it’s still so surreal holding my own cookbook,” she said.

The most enjoyable part?  “The cooking, of course,” she said.

When asked how she deals with online criticism and negativity, Ms Bagley was candid: “It used to bother me, but I’ve adapted the attitude of: love me or don’t… scroll, block, delete and move on.”

Cooking with Kim Bagley is available at major bookstores nationwide. 

She continues to share recipes and kitchen inspiration on TikTok (@cookingwithkimbagley) and Instagram (@cooking_with_kim_bagley).