Q&A with Karen Dudley

Q&A with Karen Dudley of The Dining Room

Why The Dining Room?

The Kitchen (Dudley's other restaurant next door) is a busy, wonderful, small space, all about variety and sunshiny-ness. What it isn't: a place to linger and have a conversation. The Dining Room is where you engage at a table. I am making the old-fashioned dining table glamorous again.

The Dining Room's décor?

I would describe it as tongue-in-cheek nostalgia.

What should we expect?

People at their tables having a classic dining experience. Our food is delicious and they don't have to think about what to have. They'll be served a plate of meat, fish or vegetarian lunch of the day, with lovely salads and veggies.

Signature thing?

We do an hors d'oeuvre trolley at The Dining Room's Thursday evening dinners. It is a lot of fun.

Is it true you were the 'other kitchen' US first lady Michelle Obama visited after 'getting lost' en route to The Test Kitchen in 2011?

No, we were "investigated" a few weeks before her visit. Nothing the Americans do is unintentional. My girls said she would never come to Woodstock - too much of a security nightmare. But she did. The main road was closed for 40 minutes. They arrived in three SUVs and there were sharpshooters on the opposite roof. We just played our music, made "love sandwiches" for Michelle Obama's two daughters and served our lunchtime salads.

What don't people know about you?

If I wasn't doing food I'd probably be arranging flowers, singing or doing radio documentaries.

What are you saving for?

To renovate my poor, neglected kitchen at home. I really want a kick-ass home kitchen.

• The Dining Room. 117 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock. 021-461-0463, www.dining-room.co.za. Lunch R90 Tuesday to Friday. Longer Thursday dinners R250 per head. Private parties