“So wake me up when it’s all over…” The catchy song in The Choir of Man that could have been my theme tune for 2020, and the way things are going, I may own it for the first quarter of 2021 as well. When Covid-19 grabbed the global spotlight, life…
Interviews
In the past three years since I wrote this piece for the Sunday Times, I’ve met Coetzee Steyn in person and I’m delighted to say that the Bosjes Chapel he designed (Steyn Studio) has picked up numerous accolades including being featured in the Architizer/Phaidon hardback: ‘The Best Architecture in the…
It’s Travel Tuesday and the spotlight is once again on Reunion. This time, I’m sharing about cuisine and one of the islands most celebrated national pastimes, le picnic. CREOLE CUISINE While elements of the Indian Ocean Départment echo France, Creole cuisine is plates apart from what one might find on…
I met Igor Mezencev at the IKRA Talks in Moscow last November 2019, at a time when I took travel a little for granted. What I wouldn’t give to be back in Russia right now- -Я скучаю по москве! A member of the Slow Food Alliance of Chefs who goes…
During Lockdown I had the wonderful opportunity to interview (for the Daily Maverick) three Chefs I greatly admire. I’ve met them all and, lucky me, have eaten their sublime cuisine. They are Vladimir Mukhin of The White Rabbit in Moscow, Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen of JAN and MARIA…
The World is opening up and I want to go sailing. As always though, like all travellers, I want to know that every precaution has been taken to ensure my health and safety, and news from Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) and indeed the global tourism sector is encouraging. I feel…
A week on the high seas with Oceania Nautica ~ by Allison Foat
As a travel writer with nowhere to go, one of the things that has kept me inspired during this protracted Lockdown has been scrolling back through my camera roll and re-living trips I’ve been fortunate to experience. One of my most memorable this year, done just before Corona interrupted life…
“I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, ‘This is what it is to be happy’. ” Sylvia Plath’s words, and a perfect descriptor for my staycation at La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek. The blue chip property rests in a prime position on…
The live jazz landscape in the Cape Town is smoking hot. In the absence of dedicated jazz clubs in the city centre, bars, back yards and halls are clearing space for jazz performance. On any given night you can catch a number of industry legends at play – musos like…
Kevin Grobler is back at Delaire Graff Restaurant in Stellenbosch. After three years as Head Chef at the celebrated Michelin-starred JAN in Nice, Kevin, 32, is leading an impressive 44-strong team in the very same kitchen where he earned his stripes ten years ago under Executive Chefs Michael Deg and…