In a surprise announcement, not only one but four finalists in the Africa and Middle East region of the S. Pellegrino Young Chef Regional Semi-Final held in Cape Town on Monday, will be sent to Milan for the Grand Finale in May next year. But only one of the four young chefs will compete for the Global title of S. Pellegrino Young Chef 2020, being Chef Paul Thinus Prinsloo of The Restaurant at Waterkloof. Continue reading →
Tag Archives: Constantijn Hahndiek
Eat Out announces the Top 30 Restaurant list for 2018: some surprise inclusions and exclusions!
This afternoon Eat Out announced its list of the Top 30 restaurants in our country for this year. The Top 20 restaurants will be revealed at the Awards ceremony on 18 November at GrandWest, and the Top 10 list within that ranking. There are some surprise inclusions and exclusions in this list. Continue reading →
2017: A year of finding my feet, both on and off the dance floor!
A year ago I posted here on my Blog that 2016 was the best year of my life. Looking back on 2017, I can echo this sentiment about 2017, surpassing what was already a fantastic 2016! The year was crowned by the publishing of my first book, and I plan to write two this year. I discovered my Self-Love, and now can truly stand on my own two feet! Continue reading →
Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine grows student chef number, to open pop-up Brunch!
Earlier this week I visited the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, and I was delighted to meet the School’s second intake of twelve chef students, and to see how Chef Jackie Cameron and her School is flourishing. Continue reading →
The Gourmet Greek grows on Midlands Meander, adds The Blue Cow Deli!
Eleven months ago I visited the artisanal The Gourmet Greek cheese and yoghurt production facility on the Midlands Meander in KZN, meeting the hospitable Greek Dimitriades family. I returned to the cheesery on Thursday, and found that The Blue Cow Deli, which had opened eight months ago. Continue reading →
A salute and toast to 2016: the best year ever!
I have rarely written about personal matters on my Blog. I am also long past formulating New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of a year. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine that the universe would present me with a year of years in 2016, to top any I have ever experienced! Continue reading →
Luke Dale-Roberts restaurants will not make Eat Out Top 20: a prediction!
The Eat Out Top 20 Restaurant List will be announced shortly, and as has become tradition, we have prepared our prediction for what we believe the top twenty restaurants in our country to be. We also announce the judges for the 2016 Eat Out Top 10. Continue reading →
Hartford House home of accommodation and restaurant excellence, tops in KZN!
Last year I visited Hartford House for the first time, better known to me over the years as the leading award-winning restaurant in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) when it was headed up by Chef Jackie Cameron. I found a young passionate chef in Constantijn Hahndiek, and an excellently run boutique hotel by GM Duncan Bruce. On my return visit this month, I found that the bar had been raised even higher at Hartford House.
The Gourmet Greek artisinal cheese and yoghurt producers on Midlands Meander!
I 
On Friday I was introduced to artisinal cheese and yoghurt producers The Gourmet Greek, and its owners the hands-on Greek Dimitriades family, on the Midlands Meander.
Continue reading →
Hartford House opens new Tijnhuis Tea House, with High Tea!
Last month Hartford House opened its new Tijnhuis Tea House, offering lighter meals to its hotel guests and to Midlands Meander walk-in guests, as well as High Tea, and a selection of sweet treats, with teas and coffees. Continue reading →