I am Batsheva Phillips, founder of Let’s Nosh, a growing kosher food and hospitality business based in Orchards, Johannesburg.

Let’s Nosh began as a small, home-based idea and has grown into a fully operational business with its own premises and commercial kitchen. We offer contemporary kosher food and hospitality experiences, including private fine-dining events, bespoke catering, Shabbos meals and beautifully curated Shabbos baskets, baked goods and food experiences.

At its heart, Let’s Nosh is about much more than food. We create experiences that bring people together around the table and make them feel welcomed, cared for and connected.

A major part of our growth has been creating opportunities for people. Since the beginning of 2026, our team has grown from one to nine, alongside additional ad hoc staff for larger events. We have also trained women who previously worked as domestic workers, equipping them with professional kitchen skills and the confidence to now run our commercial kitchen with independence and pride.

With Leti joining the business as a partner at the beginning of 2026, we have been able to expand our capacity, strengthen our offering and turn what began as a one-woman venture into a growing hospitality business with a broader vision for the future.

I believe I was nominated because I turned a small, home-based idea into a growing hospitality business, creating employment, developing people and building something meaningful for my community despite the daily challenges and personal hardships I was facing. Inspiring others and showing them that our future is in our own hands – we just need to take lead and if we truly believe we can, we will.

My vision for Let’s Nosh is to build a distinctive South African hospitality brand that becomes recognised for exceptional kosher food, innovative experiences and genuine human connection.

I want to continue growing the business sustainably, creating more employment opportunities, developing skills and giving people the chance to discover their own potential. I want our growth to create opportunities not only for the business, but for the people who become part of its journey.

I also see an opportunity to broaden the conversation around kosher food in South Africa. Kosher food can be contemporary, creative, exciting and relevant while still being deeply connected to tradition, community and Jewish identity. I want Let’s Nosh to help bring that perspective to a wider audience. Whether they observe the laws of Kashrus or not. We have no reason not to be on the same level as other culinary institutions, restaurants, caterers, and the like.

Ultimately, my vision is to build something that is bigger than me — a sustainable business that creates jobs, develops people, brings communities together and contributes meaningfully to South Africa’s hospitality and entrepreneurial landscape.

I want Let’s Nosh to show what is possible when you start with very little, believe in an idea, surround yourself with the right people and have the courage to keep building.

Recreational activities

Jewish learning and attending shiurim, art and painting, cooking, reading, entertainment and being part of a cookbook club.
I enjoy creativity, discovering new ideas and experiences, and most of all, activities that bring people together around food, conversation and community.