WhaleTales Blog

A three-week writing focus at Apricale in Italy saw me complete the writing of a book within the time period I had allocated to this first-ever writing challenge. As the catalyst for The Book was Chef Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen, in that I met a special man at his book launch in March last year, and that The Book tells the story of the transformational effect of the meeting, there was no better restaurant to eat at on Saturday, to celebrate the completion of The Book, than at JAN Restaurant in Nice! It felt like Christmas, it being exciting to experience JAN Restaurant again, my third visit in two years!  (more…)

For the first time in the history of the MCQP, a Christmas in July Party will be held, this Friday 28 July. At the Party the theme and the venue for the MCQP Party on 16 December will be announced.  (more…)

Pastry Chef André Steyn joined La Colombe just over a week ago, having worked at Delaire Graff for over three years. He attracted my attention with his creative desserts as well as forest Amuse Bouche presented in a glass bowl whilst he worked at Delaire. The Chef once had a dream to become an architect, and it is our restaurant industry’s luck that his life path led him to cheffing.  (more…)

It was a shock to see today that none of our country’s top restaurants have made the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, with both The Test Kitchen and La Colombe named today in the 51 – 100 ranking list, announced a week ahead of the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurant ceremony in Melbourne next Wednesday! (more…)

Today I depart on a two-week eating tour of France, continuing my World’s 50 Best Restaurant journey I began in New York and London in July last year. There is no more exciting start to my culinary trip than dinner at JAN restaurant in Nice on Wednesday, given that it has just been awarded the 2017 Michelin one-star rating. In February 2016 owner Jan-Hendrik van Der Westhuizen did our country proud, in becoming the first South African chef to own a Michelin-star restaurant.  (more…)

When I saw a link on Facebook to an article ‘10 Best Restaurants in Cape Town 2017′  I was intrigued enough to read it. I found it an interesting reflection of restaurant and chef politics, in that ’14 of SA’s top chefs‘ fed back where ‘they go for a bite when they are not whipping up feasts in their own kitchens’. (more…)

The Sweet Service Award goes to the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa and its Food & Beverage Manager Hilton Ruch, who assisted me in getting a table inside the Café Grill, when the staff had said that only outside tables were available. He also personally made two dry cappuccinos for me, and then offered to find a slice of chocolate cake, which offer I did not decline! When I requested the bill, the staff said that it had been taken care of! I have been impressed in the past with Hilton walking the hotel’s restaurant and bar floors, checking on all the facilities it offers.  (more…)

Yesterday I attended two tastings of the Robertson-based Springfield Estate wines at OpenWine Pair Shop on Wale Street, a central tasting facility offering a selection of South African wines. I was impressed with the personality of co-owner Jeanette Bruwer, which came through in the evening tasting in particular! She introduced her wines in a consumer-friendly fun and natural manner. (more…)

After a number of promised opening dates, delayed due to construction hiccups, Chef David Higgs finally opens his Marble restaurant in Rosebank in Johannesburg today. (more…)

It was on Facebook that Jacqui Jones, now living in New York, saw that I was in the city, and invited me to join her and partner James for dinner at New York icon restaurant Daniel last week. Daniel is a Michelin two star restaurant, and is Relais & Chateaux accredited. (more…)