The Grande Dame of South Africa

Hello Foodies,

The Forks were lucky enough to meet Mrs. Liz McGrath (pronounced McGraw). Her grand career as a hotelier unkowningly began when she traveled with her husband on business trips. He was a top music industry executive and they always stayed at Relais and Chateaux Hotels. When her husband died, Mrs. McGrath began a new life drawing on what she loved - hotels! It wasn't long before she created an amazing property called The Plettenberg, complete with spectacular vistas of mountains, sea, and miles of the golden sand beaches of Plettenberg Bay. This property became a five star Relais and Chateaux hotel and it didn't take long for Mrs. McGrath to create two more five star Relais and Chateaux hotels-The Cellars-Hohenort and The Marine. All three are now known as The Collection.

For the past twenty years, Mrs. McGrath has been dedicated to the ethos of Relais & Chateaux properties - courtesy, charm, character, calm, and cuisine. However, The Collection has something that no other Relais & Chateaux has - that is Mrs. McGrath. She is a dynamo and truly, a national treasure.

When you stay at any of Mrs. McGrath's properties, you receive unsurpassable service. We had the complete experience during our way-too-quick overnight visit to The Cellars-Hohenort. We were especially delighted to find out Mrs. McGrath would join us for dinner and what a delicious dinner it was. The tasting menu was expertly prepared by Executive Chef Peter Tempelhoff.

This is our group. First Row (Right to left):
Mrs. McGrath and Melissa Joachim.

Second Row: Peter Tempelhoff, Lisa Goldman, Murray and Brigette Gardiner, Clayton Howard, Anita Lo

Our only regret was that the rain kept us from seeing the beautiful gardens and property of The Cellars-Hohenort. We are hoping to wander through them on our next visit to South Africa.

Enjoy,

the Forks

Bo-Kaap ASAP!

Hello Foodies,

The Bo-Kaap is the Malay Quarter - hub and heartbeat of Cape Town. On our first day, our wonderful guide, Dave, took us through this quaint and colorful area. All the houses are painted in different pastel colors. Finally, we drove up a very steep street and at the top of this hill, was a treasure - the Noon Gun Cape Malay Restaurant. This home-based restaurant has a spectacular view of the Table Mountain, Table Bay Harbour, and waterfront areas as well as spectacular food.

We met Zainie Misbach.

And the whole family - that total over 50 including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren (all were not present at this lunch).

We were served many treats.

A few favorites includes the Samoosa, Dahltjie & Papadum - all light and delicate like I've never tasted before. The samoosa is curried spicy beef in a triangular pastry. The dahltijie are savory, deep-fried balls made of spinach and pea flour. The papadum is a spicy crisp made from pea flour.

These are the famous Koeksiesters made of spicy dough then deep fried, sugared, and topped with coconut. The other is another traditional dessert called a Milktart.
Enjoy,
the Forks

The Afro-Gastronaut & the Mum of Cape Malay Cooking

Hello Foodies,

South Africa could not have a better food ambassador than Chef Bruce Robertson, a top Cape Town chef who once trained with Gordon Ramsey. His passion and pleasure for South African cuisine knows no limits. Maybe that's why they call him an Afro-Gastronaut. Chef Bruce is madly determined to give anyone who is interested, the best introduction to South African cuisine. Within seconds of being with Bruce, you'll learn that South Africa has a diverse and honest food story. Bruce has had a varied group of restaurants from memorable fine dining to his latest street food venue featuring a dish called bunny chows. Bruce will be providing some exciting eating experiences for our tour to South Africa in 2010.

This is just a sampling of a lunch that Bruce prepared for us. It was also our first taste of South African crayfish-deliciously sweet.

We have to thank Bruce for introducing us to Cass Abrahams, renowned international authority on Cape Malay cuisine, the oldest cuisine of the Cape people. It emerged from the Malay slaves who worked in the kitchens of their Dutch masters. Cass is the author of two cook books and co-owner of De Waterblommetjie Restaurant near the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town.

This is one of Cass's chicken curries. She compares her recipe to a symphony and how the traditional spices she uses, build like musical notes, but never overpowering the others to make for an unforgettable crescendo in your mouth.

I wish you could taste this dish.


Get ready to enjoy!

the Forks

Relishing the Moment!

Jeremy Freemantle of African Relish with celebrity chef, Anita Lo

Hello Foodies,

After the Forks did the Indaba Travel Trade Show in the seaside city of Durban, we took off to visit African Relish - an-about-to-open-culinary school and vacation destination that's located in a beautiful town called Prince Albert in the Karoo Valley. There will comfortable, stylish accommodation when African Relish opens.

We were joined by celebrity chef, Anita Lo, who will lead our culinary adventure to South Africa. In addition, we were accompanied by African Relish co-founder, Jeremy Freemantle. From the airport in George to Prince Albert, we drove along a very scenic route through ostrich farms, mountain ranges, vast wilderness plus we spotted a baboon or two along the way.

Prince Albert has flourishing farms that deliver a great diversity of fresh local vegetables, herbs and fruit. This region is also famous for olives and its annual crops of apricots and spectacular pink figs. Abundant grape crops are grown in the Prince Albert Valley, where the wine industry is flourishing. Local Karoo lamb is unequalled and the town’s Guernsey dairy has won international awards for its distinctive cheeses. Plus Prince Albert is full of relocated city people following their dreams. You'll meet them.

Tour de Forks will make a stopover at African Relish when our tour lands in South Africa in September of 2010. Executive chef Vanie Padayacheef of African Relish will teach us about South African cuisine. It will be a special treat when Vanie and Anita get into the same kitchen so get your forks ready for this unique gem of a culinary experience.

Enoy,

the Forks

Easing our way to South Africa at the Emirates Business Lounge!

Hello Foodies,

We are on our way to South Africa to design a fabulous tour for you. In 2010, this tour will be lead by celebrity chef, chef Anita Lo who is meeting up with us in a few days to do the R&D.

We haven't left the ground yet and we're having a fabulous time in the Emirates Lounge. The fresh juices are a healthy start to a divine spread of hot selections that range from classic American fare to Chama Chollay (similar to a spicy dahl but with chick peas) and Alloe Tikki (potatoes mixed with fennel, mustard seeds, tumeric) - I recommend the latter. In addition, there are cold selections of smoked salmon, assorted cheeses, yoghurts, breads, pastries (middle eastern and not). Great cappucino machine. We toasted this trip with vueve cliquot champagne and the trip we'll be designing for you.

Enjoy,

the Forks