Vusi Kunene, the owner and head chef at The Blackanese, talks to us about his collaboration with Scottish Leader. 
Briefly tell us about The Blackanese?
I started a mobile sushi bar in 2005, with a dream of owning a restaurant one day. Each year, I would build on the previous year’s success, making appearances at wine festivals, food shows and markets, including Maboneng’s Market on Main. Slowly, The Blackanese gathered momentum and more customers. Starring in the Hansa Pilsner TV campaign accelerated my growth by introducing my brand and business to millions of homes around the country. The advertising support from Hansa helped place The Blackanese on a nationwide map so much so that one of my chefs, inspired by the ad, hitch-hiked all the way from Welkom to come and work for me in Johannesburg. The rest, as they say, is history. 
You recently revamped your restaurant in Maboneng. How have things been since the renovations?
Our revamp took a while; we were closed for about a month and a half and that took its toll on the business; it was almost like we started again. But now we are back with a bang. The look and feel is very different because when I started it. The previous restaurant only had 22 seats; people just came to have sushi and leave. Not, it’s a 50-seater which really feels like a restaurant now. Now we are able to give people good food and a great ambiance. 
You also collaborate with Scottish Leader for a music and food pop-up store – what is the collaboration about?
The music and food pop-up is about creating and giving people a lifestyle event. Not everything is about partying, sometimes it’s about enjoying great food, great drinks in a great environment; that’s what we are trying to achieve. Also, The Blackanese always wants to associate itself with established brands – Scottish Leader is definitely a great brand. We are hoping to have these music and food pop events on a monthly basis. 
What’s next for The Blackanese?
Big things! I would like to open more restaurants sometime this year within Johannesburg. I also want another one in Cape Town since we have a big market in there. Also, before we even talk about Cape Town, I might just have one in Zanzibar. Watch this space! 
