NATALIE STOPFORD

SEPTEMBER 11-13

We’re delighted to welcome our Patron Chef, Natalie, back into the Loop kitchen.

Many of you will remember when she first opened Marmelo Restaurant on Francis Road in 2014, built around a simple but powerful idea: that food brings people together. With its long communal tables, Marmelo became a place where neighbours sat side by side, conversations flowed as easily as the wine, and friendships were forged over generous plates of seasonal cooking. After the quiet years of Covid, Natalie has been intent on reviving that same sense of community — reminding us of the joy of sitting shoulder to shoulder and sharing a meal.

Her cooking is firmly rooted in the seasons, with a leaning towards sun-lit Mediterranean flavours and the occasional playful nod to her South African heritage. Honest, generous and ingredient-led, it’s food that invites you to linger at the table. For Natalie, cooking has always been an act of care — a love language expressed through flavour, comfort and abundance — and it comes across in every mouthful.