For the second year running I have been lucky to have received a delivery of a Festive Parcel from Chef Mynhardt Joubert’s Mynhardt Restaurant in Paarl. The aim of the delivery is to help publicise the good work Chef Mynhardt is doing in baking and selling the Christmas Fruitcakes, proceeds of which will go to support two charities: Butterfly House and Helpende Handjies.
In addition to sending a fully baked Christmas fruit cake, the festive parcel contained a host of ingredients as well as a recipe, so that recipients can bake one too. In addition, a Christmas wreath decorated the parcel delivered to my home, serving me well as an Advent wreath. A warm message from Chef Mynhardt accompanied the gift box. Continue reading →

Monday 12 October 2020, Day 22 of Level 1, Day 200 of Lockdown 😷
The Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl was the epitome of hospitality many years ago, German-owned and with cigar-smoking Hotelier Horst Frehse at the management helm. Its Bosman’s restaurant was our country’s number one for many years, until its star faded, Frehse left, and For Sale signs were seen for many years. Now the hotel is in new local hands, the name of the restaurant has changed, and it has a new Chef Patron to redevelop it!