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