Sophia Lindop - A Unique Food Experience

Rules and regulations

I know that yesterday my blog was filled with praise for Cape Town and its beauty...  Today I have a question though: Where did Capetonians get their driver's licences?!  Eskom is causing complete havoc and mayhem - power outages spell no traffic lights, and this leads to utter chaos! 

Here are some rules to take note of

1. I will say this only once: When the lights are out, compliments Eskom, treat the traffic lights like you would a four way stop.  If you don't know what that means, figure it out!
2. Sharing is good - but not when it comes to traffic lanes.  You stay in yours and I'll stay in mine!
3. Indicators are to warn the rest of us when you want to turn (mostly in front of us), and not to keep the kids occupied while you are in the Kwikspar!

Although there are traffic rules, I always say that, when it comes to cooking, there are no rules!  The rule is to have fun!  However, there are sound guidelines that have been set by the masters that should be followed...

City of Angels

I am convinced that those of us who live in Cape Town either did something very good in order to deserve this life, or we did something so horrible that someone out there thought that, perhaps if we were surrounded by immense beauty, we might change for the better.  Somehow I cast my vote with the first option...

This morning I had to meet a friend for breakfast in town, and I opted to drive from the Southern suburbs of Cape Town, via Llandudno.  As I approached Hout Bay, two thick arms of mist were creeping up and enveloping Klein Leeukoppie - almost like it needed a hug.  The site was breathtakingly beautiful!  And as I made my way up the hill, and down past Llandudno, I drove into the mist that also lay, covering the ocean gently, shrouding it in mystery - and I wondered, was King Neptune holding a secret meeting for all Atlantic Ocean Life...?

I felt so lucky at that moment, to live in this most beautiful place.

I love a good challenge!

I was recently asked by the new owners of Barristers Grill in Newlands, to come on board as a consultant and help get the kitchen back on track.  So far it has been an exciting and rewarding journey!  I am changing menus, adapting recipes, training staff, and more - and I can't wait to stand back and watch them fly!

When I visit Barristers, it's like watching 'Cheers' on TV - the locals, the regulars, the newcomers, the tales...  Although it has worked very well over the years, it has potential to get even better!  Watch this space...!

The new bar snack menu has already been received with great enthusiasm, and the presentation of meals is visibly better - clients are already commenting.

You can't teach a hungry child!

This blogging business is difficult at times...  The last few weeks have been (as Paddy would say) character-building, thus the silence from my corner!  But, despite what we were going through, we still have a lot to be very grateful for!

A while ago I was paging through the Weekend Argus, and there I saw a picture that has put me on a new and meaningful course...  The face in the advertisement compelled me to pick up the phone that Monday morning, and go and visit the Peninsula School Feeding Association.  At last I had found a charity that I believe in and want to support!

What a life!

Gosh!  What a couple of weeks I've had!  It's just after midnight, and the whole house is asleep, but I am wide awake after cooking for my regular American group again this evening...  I feel like I need some distraction - and I am glad to announce that I am just about to get just that!  My cousins arrived this afternoon from up country to visit with Paddy and me for the next week, and we are planning to wine and dine and laugh and play Scrabble as much as we can. 

Before we hit the market on Saturday morning, we will be going out to Bread and Wine at Môreson wine estate tomorrow - one of my favourites!  An Italian gentleman was brave enough to admit to me the other day that he tasted the best prosciutto and Parma ham outside of Italy at Bread and Wine recently!  Ditto!  Can't wait.