ANTONIA HODDINOTT – OWNER

Antonia is a foodie at heart and grew up on an organic farm in the Cradle of Humankind area near Johannesburg. She worked in her family restaurant, Casalinga Ristorante Italiano, from her early years and eventually took over the reins.

Here Antonia learnt all the ins and out of the restaurant trade from her parents, Peter and Jenny De Luca.

Antonia went on to train as a chef in the USA, became an author and pioneer in the field of plant-based eating and completed a degree in marketing, entrepreneurship and an MBA in finance at Bond University in Australia.

Antonia launched her signature restaurant in 2010, Leafy Greens Café, which became a critically-acclaimed vegan and vegetarian restaurant in Johannesburg.

With the success of her cafe she launched her own brand of health foods called Antonia’s Botanicals with products now being sold throughout South Africa. Antonia and Jake expanded her restaurant business by launching the Il Caffe and Il Ristorante offerings at Casalinga Organic Farm.

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JAKE HODDINOTT- OWNER

Jake grew up just down the road from Antonia on a small-holding on the outskirts of Johannesburg and spent much of his youth in the outdoors fostering his passion for wildlife and Africa.

He has travelled the world extensively having visited over sixty countries and still says the best place to be by far is right here at home and is most happy barefoot in the sand camping somewhere in Africa. Jake started his working career as a ranger and guide working in the Waterberg and the Greater Kruger areas.

Professionally he is a qualified chartered surveyor and has degrees in financial accounting, economics and in real estate. Jake has worked in property for many years ranging from investment management in London to property development in South Africa.

Jake turned back to his childhood passion and started the online agency Safari Index specializing in safari bookings throughout Africa. Jake recently launched Aspect Earth which is a tour operating outfit focusing on bucket list eco-experiences throughout the world.