{"id":49294,"date":"2026-10-15T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/?p=49294"},"modified":"2026-10-16T07:30:50","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T06:30:50","slug":"chef-shannon-talbot-bennett-culture-cooking-heritage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/news\/chef-shannon-talbot-bennett-culture-cooking-heritage\/","title":{"rendered":"Around Our Table: The Culture, Cooking and Heritage Behind Chef Shannon Talbot-Bennett"},"content":{"rendered":"    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5cffcc\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <p>For Chef <strong>Shannon Talbot-Bennett<\/strong>, food carries memories. Born and raised in South Africa, her cooking reflects the flavours, traditions and family experiences that have shaped her throughout her life.<\/p>\n<p>That connection to heritage was clear in the dishes she created for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.streatfoodawards.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">StrEAT Food Awards 2025<\/a>, where Shannon was named <strong>StrEAT Food Chef of the Year<\/strong> and took second place in the <strong>Dish of the Year<\/strong> category.<\/p>\n<p>Her dishes brought together different cultural influences, from the Caribbean flavours of her award-winning jerk chicken tacos to her contemporary take on South African bunny chow. Each one has a story behind it.<\/p>\n<p>As colleagues come together through OCS\u2019s <strong>Around Our Table<\/strong> campaign, led by <a href=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/chroma\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span class=\"hashtag\">CHROMA<\/span>&#8216;s Race, Ethnicity and Faith Network<\/a> for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fao.org\/world-food-day\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">World Food Day<\/a>, Shannon shares some of the experiences and cultural influences that continue to find their way onto her plate.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section x-data=\"video\" id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0055\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"grid gap-4 group \">\n                    <picture data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\">\n                <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Around-Our-Table-OCS-Cookbook-Recipe-Submission-768x754.jpg\" media=\"(max-width: 640px)\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Around-Our-Table-OCS-Cookbook-Recipe-Submission-1024x386.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Around-Our-Table-OCS-Cookbook-Recipe-Submission-1024x386.jpg\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in w-full h-full object-cover object-center rounded-3xl\" alt=\"Three tacos with shredded meat, pickled onions, and limes on a decorated plate, surrounded by tortillas, more pickled onions, colourful cloth, and peppers.\">\n            <\/picture>\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d009a\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <h3>Food Starts With Family<\/h3>\n<p>Shannon\u2019s relationship with food began at home.<\/p>\n<p>Growing up in South Africa, cooking was part of family life. Her father and brother helped shape her understanding of food and the importance of sharing it with others.<\/p>\n<p>Traditional South African dishes and cooking methods were passed down through generations, becoming part of everyday family life. For Shannon, those recipes represent family, childhood and traditions that have remained a constant throughout her life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bobotie<\/strong> is one dish that holds a particularly special place in her family. The combination of seasoned minced meat and an egg-based topping bring together savoury and sweet flavours in a dish that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Served warm, it is comforting on a cold winter\u2019s day. In summer, it can be served cold alongside a fresh salad.<\/p>\n<p>Its versatility has made it a firm family favourite, but the memories attached to it give the dish its meaning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bunny chow<\/strong> brings back a different set of childhood memories.<\/p>\n<p>As a child, Shannon remembers the excitement of eating a meal served inside half a loaf of bread rather than traditionally on a plate. There was something fun and different about it. The dish was traditionally served with a spicy pickled grated carrot garnish, and she remembers watching her mum or brother react to the heat of the carrot salad.<\/p>\n<p>Those small moments of laughter around food have stayed with her.<\/p>\n<p>The same connection can be seen in the way Shannon describes family gatherings. When her family comes together, a proper South African braai (BBQ) is part of the occasion. The preparation is part of the experience, with biltong, dro\u00ebwors and traditional South African drinks enjoyed while everyone waits for the braai to be ready.<\/p>\n<p>Her husband has taken that tradition a step further, making his own biltong after receiving a biltong-making box and gradually perfecting his technique.<\/p>\n<p>Food has therefore remained part of family life in different forms, from recipes passed down through generations to traditions that continue to evolve.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d00e1\" data-animate-container=\"images\"  class=\"grid gap-10 lg:gap-4 grid-cols-1  lg:grid-cols-2  \">\n                    <div class=\"grid gap-4 group\" data-animate=\"image\" data-animate-container=\"text\" >\n                <picture class=\"h-[400px] relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/03b2e80f-6ec4-467f-bd30-f90e2c2f9688\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/768x768\/\" media=\"(max-width: 640px)\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/03b2e80f-6ec4-467f-bd30-f90e2c2f9688\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/03b2e80f-6ec4-467f-bd30-f90e2c2f9688\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in w-full h-full object-cover object-center rounded-3xl\" alt=\"\">\n                <\/picture>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div data-animate=\"image\" data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"grid gap-4 group\">\n                <picture class=\"h-[400px] relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/f994bbfa-ae89-4f4a-8be3-6268e764f53e\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/768x768\/\" media=\"(max-width: 640px)\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/f994bbfa-ae89-4f4a-8be3-6268e764f53e\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/f994bbfa-ae89-4f4a-8be3-6268e764f53e\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in w-full h-full object-cover object-center rounded-3xl\" alt=\"\">\n                <\/picture>\n\n                            <\/div>\n            <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0105\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"px-4 py-8 md:px-8 relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\" style=\"background-color: #F7FBF7 ;\">\n        <svg class=\"text-[#d6ead6] 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4.143.458 6.229L162.689 347.844ZM189.868 347.253c-2.391.241-4.797.432-7.216.572l162.33-163.351a175.2 175.2 0 0 1-.569 7.262L189.868 347.253ZM223.135 340.537a170.58 170.58 0 0 1-9.181 2.549l126.318-127.112a173.708 173.708 0 0 1-2.533 9.239L223.135 340.537ZM278.57 311.515a173.062 173.062 0 0 1-20.231 13.668l64.142-64.545a174.297 174.297 0 0 1-13.583 20.358l-30.328 30.519Z\" \/>\n            <\/g>\n        <\/svg>\n                <div data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"relative grid gap-8 md:gap-6\">\n                            <p data-animate=\"prose\"  class=\"text-ocs-gray-nav text-[26px] md:text-[22px] font-medium leading-[34px] md:leading-[30px] -tracking-[0.5px] text-crop\">\n                    \u201cIn South Africa, there\u2019s a word we love to use: \u2018lekker\u2019. It means \u2018great\u2019 or \u2018awesome\u2019, and for me, it perfectly describes my South African heritage and the food that inspires me.\u201d                <\/p>\n                                        <div data-animate=\"item\"  class=\"flex items-center gap-3 md:gap-2\">\n                                                                <div>\n                                                                                                <p class=\"font-medium text-base text-ocs-blue-navy\">\n                                        Shannon Talbot-Bennett                                    <\/p>\n                                                                                                                        <p class=\"text-sm text-ocs-blue-navy\">\n                                    Chef                                <\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0129\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <h3>A Taste Of South Africa<\/h3>\n<p>One of the clearest examples is Shannon\u2019s Next Level Bunny Chow.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bunny chow<\/strong> is a South African street food dish traditionally made by filling a hollowed-out loaf of bread with curry. For Shannon, it offers a direct connection to her South African roots.<\/p>\n<p>Her version paired a rich lamb curry with freshly baked bread, bringing a contemporary approach to a dish with a strong cultural identity.<\/p>\n<p>The dish also gave Shannon an opportunity to share something personal through food. Her South African heritage was the inspiration behind it, connecting the dish she presented to the experiences and culture that have influenced her as a chef.<\/p>\n<p>That sense of identity is important to Shannon\u2019s cooking. Traditional dishes can evolve, take new forms and incorporate different influences, while the cultural reference remains part of the story.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0144\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <h3>Bringing Cultures Together On The Plate<\/h3>\n<p>Shannon\u2019s cooking also reflects the way food can travel across cultures.<\/p>\n<p>Her <strong>StrEAT Food Awards<\/strong> winning dish, a Caribbean-inspired jerk chicken taco with pickled pineapple salsa, drew on the bold flavours and energy of Jamaican street food.<\/p>\n<p>The dish was designed to be approachable and enjoyable, with the focus firmly on flavour.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0162\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"px-4 py-8 md:px-8 relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\" style=\"background-color: #F7FBF7 ;\">\n        <svg class=\"text-[#d6ead6] absolute -top-[31px] -right-[52px] w-[280px] h-[280px] md:-top-[35px] md:-right-[68px]\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 345 348\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n            <g fill=\"currentColor\" opacity=\".1\">\n                <path d=\"M37.763 65.46 64.38 38.674a173.12 173.12 0 0 1 21.277-14.72L23.135 86.87a174.285 174.285 0 0 1 14.628-21.41ZM4.894 131.987c.777-3.131 1.639-6.228 2.582-9.289l113.785-114.5a170.68 170.68 0 0 1 9.231-2.6L4.894 131.987ZM.068 163.603c.147-2.442.344-4.87.59-7.284L154.672 1.336c2.399-.248 4.812-.446 7.239-.594L.068 163.603ZM.444 189.985A176.37 176.37 0 0 1 0 183.742L181.924.674a173.1 173.1 0 0 1 6.204.447L.444 189.985ZM4.071 213.09c-.415-1.83-.8-3.672-1.158-5.524L205.6 3.606c1.841.359 3.671.747 5.49 1.165L4.071 213.09ZM10.127 233.758a173.1 173.1 0 0 1-1.713-4.967L226.692 9.141c1.656.55 3.301 1.125 4.935 1.723l-221.5 222.894ZM18.155 252.44a173.983 173.983 0 0 1-2.175-4.502L245.72 16.755a171.56 171.56 0 0 1 4.473 2.188L18.155 252.44ZM27.888 269.407a175.49 175.49 0 0 1-2.583-4.091L262.988 26.139c1.368.847 2.723 1.714 4.065 2.599L27.888 269.407ZM39.168 284.817a173.977 173.977 0 0 1-2.96-3.712L278.679 37.11c1.244.976 2.474 1.969 3.689 2.978l-243.2 244.729ZM51.912 298.754a174.74 174.74 0 0 1-3.32-3.348L292.89 49.571a174.152 174.152 0 0 1 3.327 3.342L51.912 298.754ZM66.1 311.237a174.123 174.123 0 0 1-3.684-2.984l243.241-244.77a174.342 174.342 0 0 1 2.965 3.706L66.099 311.237ZM81.765 322.234a172.453 172.453 0 0 1-4.059-2.605l239.255-240.76c.882 1.348 1.745 2.71 2.59 4.084L81.765 322.234ZM99.006 331.645c-1.501-.711-2.99-1.443-4.466-2.196L326.72 95.808a172.535 172.535 0 0 1 2.182 4.494L99.006 331.645ZM118.002 339.29a172.923 172.923 0 0 1-4.927-1.732L334.779 114.46a173.589 173.589 0 0 1 1.72 4.958L118.002 339.29ZM139.057 344.863a171.346 171.346 0 0 1-5.48-1.176L340.87 135.091c.418 1.828.807 3.666 1.168 5.515L139.057 344.863ZM162.689 347.844a172.903 172.903 0 0 1-6.19-.461l188.043-189.226c.189 2.066.342 4.143.458 6.229L162.689 347.844ZM189.868 347.253c-2.391.241-4.797.432-7.216.572l162.33-163.351a175.2 175.2 0 0 1-.569 7.262L189.868 347.253ZM223.135 340.537a170.58 170.58 0 0 1-9.181 2.549l126.318-127.112a173.708 173.708 0 0 1-2.533 9.239L223.135 340.537ZM278.57 311.515a173.062 173.062 0 0 1-20.231 13.668l64.142-64.545a174.297 174.297 0 0 1-13.583 20.358l-30.328 30.519Z\" \/>\n            <\/g>\n        <\/svg>\n                <div data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"relative grid gap-8 md:gap-6\">\n                            <p data-animate=\"prose\"  class=\"text-ocs-gray-nav text-[26px] md:text-[22px] font-medium leading-[34px] md:leading-[30px] -tracking-[0.5px] text-crop\">\n                    \u201cStreet food should feel fun, full of flavour and easy to enjoy.\u201d                <\/p>\n                                        <div data-animate=\"item\"  class=\"flex items-center gap-3 md:gap-2\">\n                                                                <div>\n                                                                                                <p class=\"font-medium text-base text-ocs-blue-navy\">\n                                        Shannon Talbot-Bennett                                    <\/p>\n                                                                                                                        <p class=\"text-sm text-ocs-blue-navy\">\n                                    Chef                                <\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0174\" data-animate-container=\"images\"  class=\"grid gap-10 lg:gap-4 grid-cols-1  lg:grid-cols-2  \">\n                    <div class=\"grid gap-4 group\" data-animate=\"image\" data-animate-container=\"text\" >\n                <picture class=\"h-[400px] relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/e572050d-f652-4530-a96b-0c873e1f0e57\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/768x768\/\" media=\"(max-width: 640px)\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/e572050d-f652-4530-a96b-0c873e1f0e57\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/e572050d-f652-4530-a96b-0c873e1f0e57\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in w-full h-full object-cover object-center rounded-3xl\" alt=\"\">\n                <\/picture>\n\n                            <\/div>\n                            <div data-animate=\"image\" data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"grid gap-4 group\">\n                <picture class=\"h-[400px] relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/defb1ce2-6677-41ce-b639-c78c64bd4738\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/768x768\/\" media=\"(max-width: 640px)\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/defb1ce2-6677-41ce-b639-c78c64bd4738\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/defb1ce2-6677-41ce-b639-c78c64bd4738\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in w-full h-full object-cover object-center rounded-3xl\" alt=\"\">\n                <\/picture>\n\n                            <\/div>\n            <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d0185\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <p>Her cooking therefore draws from more than one cultural influence. South African heritage sits alongside Caribbean-inspired flavours, with each dish providing a different way to explore food, tradition and the experiences behind it.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d01a7\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <h3>Food With A Story To Tell<\/h3>\n<p>For Shannon, creativity comes from understanding what makes a dish meaningful and then finding a way to express that through cooking.<\/p>\n<p>Her training as a pastry chef has given her a strong technical foundation, with precision and attention to detail informing the way she approaches savoury food too. Her experience has also given her the confidence to take familiar ideas and make them her own.<\/p>\n<p>Some of those familiar ideas come from the food she grew up eating.<\/p>\n<p>South African influence can be found throughout the way Shannon\u2019s family cooks and eats, from sauces and side dishes to traditional meals, desserts and snacks. These flavours and techniques have naturally become part of everyday cooking.<\/p>\n<p>More importantly, they represent a way of life built around sharing food, bringing people together and creating memories.<\/p>\n<p>That balance of heritage, experience and creativity was evident at the <strong>StrEAT Food Awards<\/strong>. Her two dishes represented different cultural influences, yet both reflected the same thoughtful approach to flavour and presentation.<\/p>\n<p>Her success also followed her being named <a href=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/news\/how-ocs-chef-shannon-talbot-served-up-success-at-the-streat-food-awards-2025\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">OCS Chef of the Year in 2024<\/a>, an experience that helped strengthen her confidence in her own ideas.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWinning OCS Chef of the Year made me realise I could trust my instincts,\u201d Shannon says. \u201cIt gave me the confidence to take on bigger challenges and believe that my ideas had real value.\u201d<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section x-data=\"video\" id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d01c2\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"grid gap-4 group \">\n                    <picture data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"relative overflow-hidden rounded-3xl\">\n                <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/7df7f25e-06ba-435c-80b8-7e305928e56a\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/768x768\/\" media=\"(max-width: 640px)\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/7df7f25e-06ba-435c-80b8-7e305928e56a\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ucarecdn.com\/7df7f25e-06ba-435c-80b8-7e305928e56a\/-\/format\/auto\/-\/quality\/smart\/-\/preview\/1024x1024\/\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in w-full h-full object-cover object-center rounded-3xl\" alt=\"\">\n            <\/picture>\n                    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d01de\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"post-block-text article-text-block \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" data-animate-container=\"text\"             class=\"text-[#475467] prose-headings:text-ocs-gray-nav prose-h1:font-semibold prose-h1:mb-10 prose-headings:font-medium prose prose-ocs prose-li:pl-0 w-full max-w-none\n        \"\n            style=\"background-color: #FFFFFF;\">\n            <div data-animate=\"prose\" >\n                <h3>Around Our Table<\/h3>\n<p>Food has a way of bringing people together.<\/p>\n<p>A dish can start a conversation about where we come from, the people who taught us to cook, the occasions we remember, or the traditions we continue to share.<\/p>\n<p>For Shannon, that connection stretches from childhood memories around the family table to the food she creates professionally today.<\/p>\n<p>Even when people move away from the place where their traditions began, the flavours, recipes and memories can remain. South African cooking has been part of Shannon\u2019s life for as long as she can remember, and she continues to carry that heritage through the food she cooks, the meals she shares and the traditions she passes on to her own family.<\/p>\n<p>That is the spirit behind <strong>Around Our Table<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>As colleagues bring and share dishes during <strong>World Food Day<\/strong>, there is an opportunity to share more than food. Every dish can carry a story, whether it reflects a family tradition, a place, a culture, a personal memory or a new experience.<\/p>\n<p>For Shannon, cooking provides a way to keep those connections alive while creating something new.<\/p>\n<p>Around our tables, different experiences and cultures come together, one dish and one story at a time.<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n\n\n    <section id=\"block_acf-block-6ac523c5d01fc\" data-animate-container=\"waterfall\"  class=\"rounded-3xl  \">\n        <div data-animate=\"item\" class=\"group relative flex flex-col lg:flex-row-reverse \">\n                        <div class=\"relative w-full lg:w-1\/2 aspect-[3\/2] lg:h-auto rounded-t-3xl lg:rounded-tl-none lg:rounded-r-3xl\">\n                                    <div class=\"relative overflow-hidden h-full rounded-t-3xl lg:-ml-10 lg:rounded-l-none lg:rounded-r-3xl\">\n                        <picture>\n                            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Rob-Legge-Alstom-Team-1024x512.jpg\" type=\"image\/jpg\">\n                            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/app\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Rob-Legge-Alstom-Team-1024x512.jpg\" alt=\"Food brings us together. Our TRUE Values help make sure everyone has a place at the table.\" class=\"group-hover:scale-110 transition duration-150 ease-in object-cover w-full h-full rounded-t-3xl lg:rounded-l-none lg:rounded-r-3xl\" \/>\n                        <\/picture>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div data-animate-container=\"text\"  class=\"relative flex flex-col w-full lg:w-1\/2 gap-8 -mt-8 lg:mt-0 p-6 md:px-10 md:py-12 bg-ocs-orange-lightest rounded-3xl\"  style=\"background-color: #F7FBF7\" >\n                                                    <h2 data-animate=\"heading\" class=\"text-ocs-gray-nav font-medium text-[28px] leading-[38px] text-crop\">\n                        Food brings us together. Our TRUE Values help make sure everyone has a place at the table.                    <\/h2>\n                                                                        \n<a data-animate=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/ocs.com\/uk\/about-ocs\/true-values\/\" class=\"w-fit mt-4 lg:mt-0  relative inline-block text-[16px] px-5 py-3 rounded-full focus:outline-none focus-visible:ring-2 ring-ocs-black btn-primary\" target=\"_self\">\n    Discover our TRUE Values <\/a>                            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Meet OCS Chef Shannon Talbot-Bennett and discover how family, heritage and culture shape her cooking, bringing colleagues together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":80,"featured_media":10000029183,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[249,54,422,19],"tags":[201,53],"country":[237,405,267],"class_list":["post-49294","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-catering","category-our-people","category-true-stories","category-news-type","tag-catering","tag-our-people","country-ireland","country-scotland","country-uk"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - 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