WHY THE LOVE AFFAIR WITH DE GRENDEL IN DURBANVILLE?
When I was growing up and we visited family friends for a formal lunch, I always admired the settings, the furniture, and the little things that were out of bounds for children. This restaurant reminds me of that. It’s like taking out the Sunday cutlery, every day! Plus, I can’t wait until my eight month-old daughter Esther Beth is old enough to enjoy all the farm animals here.
WHAT DO YOU USUALLY ORDER?
There’s a great starter with squid, prawns, tomato panna cotta, cabbage, spring onion, cucumber and chorizo. I always ask for mine without the chorizo because I’m not a big fan of pork.
YOUR FAVOURITE WINE FROM THE ESTATE?
De Grendel is actually just down the road from our house, so I regularly order wine from here and just have it delivered. I’m a big Shiraz fan – it was the first wine I ever tried at the ripe age of 21 – so I always order theirs, plus the Viognier and rosé are great.
YOU’VE ALSO MADE YOUR OWN WINE. TELL US MORE.
In 2012 I made a Shiraz under the label Elana Wine, which won gold at the Michelangelo awards in 2014.
AND YOU’VE BEEN INDUCTED INTO THE BRANDY GUILD OF SOUTH AFRICA?
Yes, I love brandy, especially cooking with it and using it in cocktails. The first apple crumble I ever made contained brandy, and I love shaking it up with ginger ale and a twist of lemon when we have friends over for drinks.
WHAT DO YOU DO ON YOUR OFF DAYS?
Play, eat, walk and swim with Esther Beth. Even though I work very hard, I’m a full-time mom.
WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE FOOD WEAKNESS?
Curry, Thai food and koeksisters. I really enjoy everything, but those are my, “leave me alone, I’m eating” foods!
WHAT’S IN YOUR FRIDGE AT THE MOMENT?
Plain yoghurt, double-cream yoghurt, milk, beer, baby food, stir-fry mix, too many vegetables, wine from De Grendel, Woolworths’ salad dressing, sriracha sauce, and cheese. Loads and loads of cheese.
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