People of the Bay: Meet Henry Hancox of Gqeberha Food Reviews

For many locals scrolling through TikTok looking for their next place to eat, Gqeberha Food Reviews has become a familiar name. Behind the camera is Henry Hancox, a Gqeberha local who has combined his passion for storytelling, film and good food to create a platform that highlights restaurants and hidden gems across the city.

Originally from Gqeberha, Hancox works full time as a teacher and photographer, but outside of the classroom he is steadily building a following online through short video reviews that showcase the Bay’s diverse food scene.

What began as a personal creative project has quickly grown into a page that helps locals discover new places to eat while celebrating the city’s restaurants.

A Creative Spark at the Start of 2026

The idea for Gqeberha Food Reviews came about in a simple moment at home.

One evening after returning from dinner, Hancox walked into his office and noticed his film and cinematography qualification framed on the wall. It reminded him of a creative skill he wanted to use more actively.

That moment sparked the idea to start creating food content.

As someone who regularly enjoys dining out, he already had an appreciation for the elements that make a restaurant experience memorable. Flavour, presentation, atmosphere and service all play a role in the way he approaches his reviews.

By the start of 2026, Gqeberha Food Reviews officially launched on TikTok.

Combining Film and Food

Hancox runs the page independently, producing videos that highlight restaurants, dishes and the atmosphere of places around the metro.

His background in film and cinematography gives the videos a visual storytelling style that goes beyond simple food clips. Instead, the videos aim to capture the full experience of visiting a restaurant.

Part of his interest in food also comes from a family connection to Cooking with Zanele, whose cookbooks and television appearances introduced him to a wider world of cuisine.

Over time, frequent restaurant visits helped him develop a natural sense for flavour, presentation and technique.

Showcasing Local Restaurants

One of the goals of the page is to highlight a wide variety of restaurants across Gqeberha.

“I choose to showcase local restaurants that vary in price and skill,” Hancox explains.

From casual takeaways to more refined dining experiences, the focus is on showing viewers what makes each place unique.

While not every dining experience makes it into a video, his approach to reviewing remains balanced.

“My goal is not to demoralise brands,” he says. “I want to give honest reviews.”

Discovering Hidden Gems in the Bay

Creating food content has also revealed just how many underrated spots exist across the city.

Some restaurants operate quietly in smaller neighbourhood spaces, behind shopping centres or even inside garages and takeaway counters.

For Hancox, discovering these unexpected places is one of the most exciting parts of the journey.

They often become the kinds of spots locals love recommending once they realise what is there.

Memorable Meals Along the Way

Among the many restaurants he has visited so far, one experience stands out.

A visit to a restaurant in South End left a lasting impression and became one of his favourite meals featured on the page.

“It was the kind of hearty experience that makes you want to go back again,” he says.

A Growing Community

Food content has grown rapidly across social media, and the response to Gqeberha Food Reviews has been encouraging.

Local businesses regularly reach out asking to be featured, while followers send recommendations for restaurants they believe deserve attention.

“I get messages almost daily from people asking me to review different places in Gqeberha,” Hancox says.

One of the most rewarding parts of the journey is hearing from viewers who say they discovered a restaurant because of his videos.

Looking Ahead

For Hancox, the goal is simple. Continue exploring the city and supporting local businesses along the way.

“My ultimate goal is to expand my radius and visit more businesses and review more food,” he says.

In the long term, he hopes to take the project even further by publishing his own food guide and possibly offering online classes based on what he has learned through creating content.

For now, he remains focused on discovering the next great meal somewhere in the Bay.