Meet Chef Isabella Niehaus of Langtafel: 2021 Top 10 Woman Chef!

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Last year Chef Isabella Niehaus from Langtafel in Langebaan was recognised as one of our Top Women restaurateurs. This year she is recognised as one of our 2021 Top 10 Women Chefs in the Cape. She wins a bottle of Adhara Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Bella hosts wonderful Sunday lunches from her home overlooking the Langebaan Lagoon, connecting people arriving as strangers and leaving as friends. She has published the award-winning ‘Duinhuis Smake, Geure’, which was named Best in the World in the 2020 Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. She also has a new e-Book ‘Isabella’s Mussel Feast’.

Cape’s Top 10 Women Chefs of 2021 announced on Women’s Day!

Bella answered my questions about the effect of Lockdown on her restaurant and her cooking:

 

1.  What is the best thing about the Lockdown for your business/your cooking  ?

I made my own sourdough starter from scratch. and kept it alive!!…we call it ”n plantjie’ in Afrikaans! And once we were able to start moving around, I would give friends and strangers and my favourite barista, Paul, at a lovely coffee shop in Langebaan, 100ml of starter to discovered the  utter joy of baking their own focaccia, sourdough bread, ciabatta ….even if it takes 24 hours for the dough to reach  perfection. And ..using the discard the most amazing herb and olive oil biscuits, pancakes…crumpets. Just loved sharing this JOY!

It was  also fun to rediscover the discipline of using every last bit of fruit and vegetables and making fabulous stocks ….even though there  were no half bottles of wine to add.!
I had time to play around with spices and herbs. To discover new bold tastes…to be a little more adventurous…making my own butter…finding inspiration in the food posts from friends all over the world.

2.  What is the worst thing about the Lockdown for your business and your cooking ?

For my small business it was an absolute disaster. My Langtafel where I open my home for up to 42 people 2 to 3 times a month  came to a complete standstill. At first when we were allowed to deliver food I would cook and deliver in the city and outskirts…it was great fun but not profitable as I live in Langebaan on the West Coast. Never been a fan of frozen food….it was quite a challenge to deliver freshly cooked meals to people who live 160km away!  It did make me realise how much I love cooking in my open kitchen with the voices of all my guests. as background music..and that my style of cooking requires you to eat it now!!
3.  Are you planning to change anything in your business /cooking for the year ahead.
My Langtafel has, for the past 9 years, been on Sundays, twice a month. And it is always a five course meal.  This summer I will definitely look at a three course meal option on Saturdays. I will also start doing cooking classes in different venues soon.

The beauty of Langtafel op die Duin has always been that total strangers meet at a table, share a wonderful meal  a few glasses of wine and leave as friends. With all the restrictions I find people don’t often mingle….I know nothing will ever be the same…but looking forward to restore a new feeling of joy and magic to my Langtafel experience.

 

Isabella Niehaus,  Langtafel, Cell 083 265 2147, www.isabellaniehaus.co.za Instagram: @bella_niehaus

 

Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.chrisvonulmenstein.com/blog Tel +27 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@Ulmenstein Facebook: Chris von Ulmenstein, My Cape Town Guide/Mein Kapstadt Guide Instagram: @Chrissy_Ulmenstein @MyCapeTownGuide

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