Tapas at Kahlo & Loyal

Kahlo & Loyal: A Taste of Sustainability, A Vision for the Future

At Kahlo & Loyal we create organic and local tapas boards, featuring a delightful selection of South African-inspired small plates, crafted with the freshest seasonal ingredients. Each board is thoughtfully paired with house-crafted cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages from our talented and passionate team. Our offerings are affordable, flavorful, and rooted in a love for food, culture, and community.

I was born and raised under apartheid in South Africa. My journey into the culinary world began in the face of systemic injustice, but through resilience and passion, I earned my place in the best kitchens across South Africa and Europe. I’ve built thriving businesses for investors, helped reshape outdated kitchen cultures, and broke racial barriers along the way.

Now, after 20 years in the industry and traveling the globe, I’m opening my first restaurant in Ballard, Seattle—a dream rooted in purpose. Kahlo & Loyal is more than a restaurant. It’s a bridge between worlds, a platform for change.

Our mission extends far beyond the kitchen.We are working to fund and build basketball courts in South African townships, starting with one in Khayelitsha. Growing up in a township, I know how powerful it is to reclaim our spaces from crime and gangs. Through sport, we can build safer communities and inspire the next generation.

Our dream is big: to one day see a kid from our school league in the NBA or WNBA. But our next goal is simple and urgent—raise enough to build one court. Government and NGOs have failed us, so we’re taking action ourselves. We believe in honoring our ancestors and nurturing our future, one plate and one court at a time.

Every meal you enjoy at Kahlo & Loyal helps us get closer to that vision.