The Sweet Service Award goes to Le Lude wine estate in Franschhoek, and its Orangerie Restaurant Executive Chef Nicolene Barrow, for spoiling me with two bottles of Le Lude sparkling wine, my favourite bubbly, when I and a friend had lunch at her restaurant and I handed over a prize of a bottle of Adhara olive oil to her for being included in the 2021 Top 10 Women Chefs List. Continue reading →
Sunday 22 August 2021, Full Moon, Day 27 of Level 3 đ·
Corona Gratitude đ
#grateful for a second spectacular weekend day; for a Roadtrip with Gary Peterson, to Hazendal which wowed us, to Epice and ProtĂ©gĂ© at Le Quartier Francais, to Orangerie Restaurant at Le Lude, and to Dieu DonnĂ© in Franschhoek, an amazing trip with the fabulous fun company of Gary; for seeing my #Bestie Llewellyn Lambert for the first time in two years, without telling him I was popping in; for a safe trip back home; for Kelly Szabo actively canvassing her friends and their friends to vote for Utopia in the Kfm Best of the Cape Awards (Best Date Night Restaurant); for an amazing sunset to end off this fabulous day; and for being happy, healthy and free. đđ Continue reading →
Last week we announced that we were seeking nominations for the Capeâs Top 10 Women Chefs, the prize of a bottle of ADHARA Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil going to each of our top chefs, kindly sponsored by Venishree Mayer, co-owner and olive oil producer of Fraaigelegen Farm in Tulbagh.
We are grateful for the nominations that we have received. We congratulate the Top 10 Women Chefs in the Cape.
We wish all our hard-working Women Chefs as well as our Blog readers a relaxing and happy Womenâs Day.
Wednesday 23 September, Day 3 of Level 1, Day 181 of Lockdown đ·
Corona Gratitude đ
#Grateful for a hot summer day, at 26C, loving the sun, even braving getting into the pool at Maison Montagne this afternoon; for a special sunrise at 6h00 this morning; lovely breakfast served out on the terrace; for a busy day, checking out all the changes on the main road of Franschhoek, especially the restaurants; for a meeting with Chefs Darren Badenhorst and Ryan Shell to hear about their new restaurant projects in Franschhoek, very exciting news; for being spared buying a dress when I was very willing and keen, but not finding the perfect one đ±; for a fantastic lunch at Orangerie at Le Lude, the most professional dining venue which I have experienced in Franschhoek, fully booked today with the gorgeous weather, most customers sitting outside; for being able to congratulate Orangerie Chef Nicolene Barrow on her engagement, and to present her with a bottle of ADHARA extra virgin olive oil, given the calibre of her restaurant and cooking; for the Masquerade owner Martie helping me with little gift bags for the purchase of đ soaps from her shop; for bumping into Vanie Padayachee and Eleanor Kerwan, hearing their news; for a lovely snack cheese and wine dinner with Llewellyn on the terrace, tasting two lovely Dieu Donne wines, a Henriette Viognier and a RosĂ©, the former having a lovely Heritage story in honour of Dieu DonnĂ© owner Robert Maingardâs late mother; for winning 350 Miles in two Discovery Gameboard plays; and for being happy and healthy. đđ Continue reading →