Obama's stamp of approval

Barely two weeks after US first lady Michelle Obama chose a tiny restaurant in Cape Town at which to enjoy lunch, the place is doing a roaring trade.

Not that it was a quiet restaurant before, but The Kitchen, in Woodstock, has been thrust into the global spotlight.

Since Obama's visit, curious locals are visiting the establishment to find out why Obama singled it out.

"I realised after her visit that we were probably chosen carefully," said owner Karen Dudley.

"I am only speculating that it could be because it is a woman-owned, woman-driven business. We are 14 women working here and most of us are black," she said.

"I am so grateful for the goodwill that has come through me to Woodstock and the city. We are always a busy eatery but I cannot put a value to such an endorsement."

Dudley said she has in the past catered for the US consulate and The Kitchen was reviewed by the New York Times last year - this, she believes, probably caught team Obama's eye.

"Since her visit, several new faces have popped in to see what we are all about. Things are looking up for Woodstock."

She said Obama's visit came as an earth-shattering shock.

On the morning of June 23, Dudley got a phone call telling her that Obama and her party of more than 20 people would be in for lunch.

But, she was told, she had to be "very discreet" about it all.

Several big black American cars pulled up and the area was cordoned off.

"It is a tiny place and we thought: 'No ways! What are we gong to do? Where are they going to sit? Our restaurant is so small and we are lucky if we can seat 20. So we pushed benches outside, but I wanted the place to be like it always is," she said.

It all turned out well and Obama and her family, Dudley and her mother and the staff of The Kitchen had a ball in the restaurant that was once a fishmonger's.

"I've always wanted a shop in Woodstock. When I found this place we had to sukkel (struggle) all the way. We scrubbed for days to get the smell of fish out," said the mother of two, who managed to turn the tiny rundown shop frequented by drug dealers and prostitutes into a trendy eatery serving "soul food" .

A regular at The Kitchen is 24-year-old Debra Goldschmidt.

"We treat ourselves to lunch here once a week. The food is fantastic and it is good value for money," she said.

Woodstock - formerly known as Papendorp - has for years been known for its drug merchants and rampant crime but, thanks to action by the Cape Town metro council, things are looking up.

Last month, Time magazine labelled Woodstock the "hottest district" in Cape Town.

Woodstock councillor Brett Herron said Obama's visit was just one of a series of good news stories for the suburb.

"There has been lots happening, like the influx of creative industries. Improving the area has been a long process. The city is expanding in an easterly direction," said Herron, who plans to push development even further.