Joy "Joey" Lebatla is a multidisciplinary creative born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa. His love for food began long before culinary school, spending countless afternoons after school watching the Food Network and recreating the dishes he saw on screen in his own kitchen. What started as curiosity soon became a lifelong passion for cooking, storytelling, and hospitality.

Driven by that passion, Joey moved to Chicago, where he spent four years studying Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management. There, he trained under accomplished chefs, refined his technical skills, and developed an approach to food that blends precision with creativity. Beyond the kitchen, his time in the United States deepened his appreciation for hospitality—not simply as service, but as the art of making people feel welcome.

While living abroad, Joey found himself longing for the flavours, traditions, and sense of togetherness he had grown up with in South Africa. That experience inspired a simple but meaningful vision: to bring people together around the table through thoughtfully reimagined South African cuisine, complemented by contemporary global influences.

Now back home in Johannesburg, Joey is dedicated to creating intimate dining experiences that celebrate connection, conversation, and community. Every menu is a reflection of his journey—honouring familiar South African flavours while embracing techniques and inspirations gathered from abroad. More than serving a meal, his goal is to create moments that feel like home.