Fire and Food: The Art of Summer Living

Cucina Wood Pizza oven Casserole close-up

I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively but as fun as a snowy Christmas in Europe or North America can be, I would still choose South Africa for its long, warm evenings outdoors. Whether you’re catching Highveld thunderstorms from your stoep or watching the sun sink into the Atlantic, this time of year never fails to draw us outside. With that in mind, I’ve found a few special pieces from Signi Fires to enhance outdoor cooking and social gatherings.

The Cucina wood-burning pizza oven caught our attention first. While its heritage might be Italian, its engineering is firmly rooted in modern-day Cape Town. It reaches 400°C in just 30 minutes, a feat that makes spontaneous pizza nights entirely possible. The cooking chamber, built from welded stainless steel, comfortably holds two pizzas, perfect for those balmy evenings when friends drop by unexpectedly.

Like its counterpart, the Nuovo gas pizza oven has equally valuable benefits. True to its Italian name, meaning ‘new,’ it strips away complexity without compromising results. Its versatility strikes me – it moves easily between outdoor and indoor spaces (if the weather turns bad) and requires no fixed installation or chimney. For those who appreciate simplicity, the Nuovo lights with the turn of a button and reaches optimal temperature in minutes.

The range of gas fire pits from Signi Fires completes the outdoor story. Available in four round and rectangular designs, these pieces create natural gathering points in any garden setting. With multiple colours and finishes, they are built for our climate, our social habits, and our love of outdoor living. Their clean lines and proportions make them suitable for multiple architectural styles, while features like remote control and app connectivity add convenience without complication.

As we spend more time outside this summer, all of these locally made pieces offer new ways to cook, connect, and enjoy our perfect December weather. They remind us that some of life’s best moments happen around food and fire under the mesmerising Southern Hemisphere stars.

Find Signi Fires products through their distributor network or contact a Signi-approved agent at www.signifires.com View their latest installations on Instagram and Facebook @signifires.