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There's a detail about Stella Artois that most people don't know. It was first brewed in 1926 as a Christmas gift – a present from the Brouwerij Artois brewery in Leuven, Belgium, to the people of the town. The name itself comes from the Latin word for star, a nod to those festive beginnings, and a star has been on every bottle since.

The brewery's roots go back even further to 1366 when the Den Hoorn brewery was founded on the same site in Leuven. That's over 600 years of brewing heritage in every glass, and it's why Stella Artois is still poured into its signature chalice: the narrow lip captures its sweet, fruity aroma, the tulip shape holds the perfect foam head, and the star stem keeps the beer cooler for longer.

[video width="1920" height="1080" mp4="https://taste.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/Stella-Artois_YT_OLV_16x9_Draft-Tower_15s_Opt1__FINAL.mp4"][/video]

This festive season, we teamed up with Stella Artois to put the beer exactly where it belongs – outside, on the braai, and at your Christmas table.

The table

<WATCH: SETTING THE TABLE >

Your holiday hosting era officially begins now. Challenge Bobo is our in-house videographer, DJ, Stella loyalist, braai master and the guy who turns "just a few friends over" into a whole thing. If there's a fire, a six-pack and good company, he's already there.

And today, he's hosting Friends-mas. First things first – the table. Woolworths' table linen, gold cutlery, gold paper crackers, lemons down the centre of the table. Stella Artois bottles and chalice glasses are part of the tablescape, and candles are lit. He pours Stella into glasses, raises a toast, and the afternoon has officially started.

Then come the nibbles – all from Woolies' ready-made section, because a good host doesn't spend the party in the kitchen. A cheese platter, deep-fried olives served over a herby yoghurt, Bellinis topped with salmon roses and caviar – all you need to do is decant, heat and plate. Challenge mingles, tops up glasses, and the table looks stunning. Yes, your Christmas table can be fun and summery. This one is. Then he steps away – but just for a few minutes.

Braai-ella

Challenge prepped his ingredients ahead of time – because a good host doesn't disappear for an hour while his guests are on their second Stella. If you're not making your Christmas lunch on the braai, are you even South African? This summer, we're taking the cooking outside.

A braai-ella – our version of a paella – cooked over open coals. Prawns, calamari, big pieces of fish – it looks super impressive, but it's actually a simple, one-pan meal. The braai adds a smoky flavour you just can't get on a stove and it feeds a crowd – which is exactly what festive season is about.

<WATCH video of paella being cooked at the braai pit>

Challenge's top tips for a braai-ella:

• Medium heat, not a raging fire. Let the coals settle to an even bed.
• Woolies has a Spanish paella seasoning – the spicing is sorted.
• Add the seafood towards the end once most of the stock has cooked down so you don't overcook it.
• The crispy rice at the bottom is the socarrat – legit the best part. Spread the rice in a thin, single layer and don't stir once the stock is in. Stirring breaks the grains, releases excess starch and ruins the crust.
• Cover with tin foil and steam for 5 minutes before serving. All rice is better when left to steam – it allows the flavours to settle.
• Don't overthink it. A braai-ella is relaxed cooking for relaxed eating.

A cold Stella in hand while he cooks, and he's back at the table before anyone notices he was gone. The pan lands in the middle of it all – right between the cheese platter and the chalice glasses – and the table is complete. The paella pairs perfectly with a crisp, cold Stella Artois. Honestly, you'll want to stay all afternoon.

BRAAIED SEAFOOD-AND-CHORIZO PAELLA RECIPE

The fancy secret Santa

<VIDEO OF 3 GIFTS>

And because Stella was born as a gift, here's how to level up your secret Santa this festive season. Three gift boxes, three personalities, each one built with Woolworths finds and a six-pack of Stella Artois at the centre.

The foodie

Four condiments, mini choc slabs, Malt and Salt Chuckles® and salted pretzels, and a six-pack of Stella to wash it all down. This is the box for the person who takes their snacks as seriously as their supper.

The couch potato

Salted popcorn, peanut butter mini milk chocolate cups, candy canes, mini choc slabs and a six-pack of Stella. The ultimate night-in box – because some people do their best festive entertaining from the couch.

The sporty one

Free-range biltong, purple pretzels, trail mix, mini choc bars, mini mints and a six-pack of Stella. For the one who's always moving, always training, always on the go – but still deserves a cold beer at the end of the day.

Start in store, pick your pieces, add the six-pack, pack it up. Your secret Santa is sorted – and it's the fanciest one under the tree.

Find more braai recipes here 

Producers: Lerato Tlali, Fatima Saib and Katharine Pope

Host: Challenge Bobo

Recipe and production: Bianca Jones

Food assistant: Chevonne Fourie

Photography and videography: Shavan Rahim and Sadiqah Assur-Ismail

Stella Artois was first brewed in 1926 as a Christmas gift to the people of Leuven, Belgium – "stella" means star in Latin, and a star has been on every bottle since. The brewery's roots go back to 1366, over 600 years of brewing heritage. Today it's one of the world's most recognised premium beers, available in over 90 countries and best served in its signature chalice. Find Stella Artois at Woolworths this festive season.

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