Getting festive in Stellenbosch

Sometimes I find it slightly scary meeting new people. I am one of those people who wear their heart on their sleeve.  This is a good thing in many ways but it can also result in unwanted vulnerability.

I read this quote the other day, “If you are scared, it is because you are about to do something really brave!”

I was invited by a group of really fantastic visual storytellers recently to a tour of Stellenbosch. Young bloggers and influencers that are making waves as they go. As you can imagine meeting everyone and not knowing them from a bar of soap was rather daunting. Daunting until they shared their various handles with me. Isn’t it strange that living in a world of social media sometimes results in people knowing me more as The Truffle Journal than Melissa Delport?

Well I can’t exactly criticize because I am one of those people that will recognize you quicker by your Instagram handle than your real name. Once I had matched the "virtual persona" to all the real live persons I quickly settled in for an adventure that involved a group of really dynamic and fun people.

The hashtag for the day was #festivestellenbosch, which quickly started trending on twitter just by the influence of everyone combined. This is my photo journal. A little look-see into what Stellenbosch has to offer.

A walking tour through Kayamandi that in my opinion, every South African should do hosted by Bites and Sites.  It ended up being the best excursion of the day. Why? Simply because it forced me to look across cultural boundaries and to see that in truth as a young South African I had never actually been into a township. Yes to be honest it was out of fear. Now I see it was the fear of the unknown. To see how my fellow South Africans live was not only humbling but also enlightening.

The smiles and warm energy that we were received with was something I will never forget. To see another human being live in destitution but still smile, laugh and face each day with bravery made me feel foolish for the amount of times I complain in a day. So you will have to excuse the amount of photographs but I couldn't help but capture this experience!

Walking into a little nursery school with broken windows and worn off paint I couldn’t help but have flash backs about the privileged education I received and how different it was. I could not begin to compare.

My heart almost burst when I entered the nursery. Happy little faces greeted me with smiles and cheer. They called us Teacher, as it is a standard for anyone who visits them. They sang us songs and performed dances for us. All the while the walls covered with posters about sexual abuse and how it isn’t their fault, teaching these tiny little humans to speak up and communicate to the adults teaching them. Again it made me think of my fairy tale up bringing.

With prominent events like our #feesmustfall in headlines recently it makes me think how we as a nation need to stand together. Yes, tertiary education should be affordable to all South Africans but in my opinion every single child of our nation should have access to the fundamentals; the ABC’s.

We stopped by an elderly gentleman called Jimmy who does pottery from his shack. He was illiterate and yet had forged his own path in life the best way he could – to be honest I don’t know if I would have survived as well as he has. He worked at a pottery studio sweeping floors and one day asked his boss to teach him. He now has several spinning wheels and offers classes for those who are interested in the craft as well as selling his beautiful little bowls, plates etc. His laughter and his eager attitude left me wondering how different his world would be if education were an option for him.  I thought about how something as simple as a Facebook page and a great location would swing his life around or at least create the possibility of change.

Of course after this amount of walking I was starving – not that it was far! I am just always game for lunch.

We were whisked off to Tokara wine estate to juxtapose our township adventure. The Deli is one of my favourites. With plenty of great products on offer their Olive Oil made on site is one of my favourites. We all sat down and had a chance to finally chat and get to know one another more as fellow online Bloggers. Of course I decided to take it easy and get their burger for lunch. A giant patty of goodness served with the perfect potato fry. An ideal lunch to wash down with some of the finest wine Stellenbosch has to offer!

With our bellies full we set off to take a guided tour through Stellenbosch. It is amazing how something can be right in your back yard and yet you can have such little knowledge of it. Walking through the town and learning of its history and landmarks was just fantastic. I must admit I had house envy for some of the historical landmarks. They are simply magnificent and I wouldn’t mind moving in!

I’m no authority and it's no rule - here it is, a list of the places I went to and loved.

Stellenbosch Dorp Museum
Tokara Deli
Bites & Sites cultural food tour
Schoon De Companje
De Warenmarket
Spier wine farm & Eigh

-Melissa

Jan Harmsgat, swellendam

A quick stop off at Affie Plaas Padstal (a South African road side food stall) A must visit when passing through Robertson for the best homemade pies and treats! 

We also stopped by Mo & Rose. A beautiful guest house, wine bistro and succulent garden! I have never seen such amazing succulents and of course the wine wasn't too bad either! 

Arriving at Jan Harmsgat

The Truffle journal was founded out of nostalgia. I think there is something truly special about tradition and history. To honour it and embrace it in this day and age is remarkable.

A favourite pastime of mine is to seek out places that flip the switch. If you don’t know what I am referring to; let me explain. The proverbial ‘switch’ of life that has us scurrying about our daily lives without much thought. The incessant hum drum of city living, the buzzing of technology and the crescendo of mental noise in the fast lane.

I love to find places that simply turn it all off. That make you take a step back, relax and breathe in the fresh air.

Places that make you want to go to bed early and wake up with the sunrise.

One such place that embodies the spirit of the coveted weekend getaway in comfort is nestled between Swellendam and Robertson. Simply called Jan Harmsgat, this five star establishment oozes history and takes visitors back in time in style. Rated 5 stars by the tourism grading council this historical country house offers fine dining and ultimate luxury.

The hospitality is genuine farm style and everything is done with a smile. Most of the staff have been there for more years than I care to count and are proud to call Jan Harmsgat home.

The farm was established in 1723 and every nook and cranny is filled with a story to tell. The homestead speaks of the quality and craftsmanship of a by gone era, where every detail and accent was hand made. Filled with antiques the country house is true delight!

I was lucky enough to be invited to attend a 5-course wine pairing recently and sampled the various wines that are being produced by the estate.  

The estate currently has 5 wines namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage. All of which were paired with perfect complimentary flavours on the evening. To say that I was impressed by the experience would be an understatement.

The farm also boasts magnificent pecan nut trees and there is no shortage of fresh nuts! A real delight to sit around the fireplace wrapped in warmth having a glass of wine and nibbling at freshly cracked pecans!

Whether you choose to explore the local area of your getaway or prefer to stay in, Jan Harmsgat is definitely worth checking out (and in).

-Melissa

Maison Gateau, Cape Town

In my head I am convinced I am a seasoned baker that can create masterpieces that stand sky high and compete with the best of the bakers out there. I often wonder why as I still have the odd cake that flops and I have no idea why it did so in the first place. The good thing is that I am ok with it. I am a home baker and proud of it. The wonderful thing is that every now and then on my food adventures I get to work with amazing talents that pass on pearls of wisdom as they glide through the kitchen.

One such person is Tara from the lovely Maison Gateau. I spent the morning moving around this beautiful bakery listening to Tara talk as she worked. From guidance on how to ice the perfect cup cake to making gum paste and Italian buttercream, my mind was a sponge. I will definitely keep the tricks in my little black book for future baking days! Let us just hope I remember them all!  

This bakery is actually my favourite because of the fantastic selection of sweet treats. Tara is constantly pushing the boundaries with her flavours. Honeycomb chocolate cupcakes to freshly baked éclairs and Macarons with flavours from your wildest dreams that line the display cabinets in the front of the shop.  I mean who would of thought of mojito cupcakes and red velvet chocolate?

Tara also does exquisite wedding cakes and is a master at decorating them. So regardless of the event, birthday or prenuptial, Maison Gateau is a must visit and lets all pray she starts doing deliveries! A cupcake to my front door is something I wouldn't resist!

You can place orders for cakes, cake pops and cupcakes because every person needs a wicked bakery in their phone book! Next time you find yourself in Woodstock I would stumble upon this little piece of heaven! 

Here are the details if you are on the hunt for delicious cakes:

Mason’s Press, 7 Ravenscraig Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.

-Melissa 

street food festival, cape town

One thing I love about Capetonians is that they love a market, any excuse to get outdoors and celebrate some sort of food or event.

This particular event was the Cape Town Street Food Festival. It is a mouthful in more ways than one. This year it was held in Woodstock at the side street studios and it was the first year the event took place.  With the sun shining it was a beautiful winters day and we could not have asked for better weather!

Street food and food trucks have become a global phenomenon and rightfully so. It’s quick, tasty and unique. It’s part of the fast food track and not as formal as sitting down to eat at a restaurant. The vendors use top quality produce and all of them have a unique twist to their food. You eat with your hands and share as you go. I must say I was very impressed with the turn out at the event and even more so, blown away by the quality of the food!

Having just been to New York I could see the international influence on the food such as the Hog House brewing company. Slow smoked brisket for 15 hours it made me think of the Mighty Quinns back stateside. The twist of serving it with their unique beer was ingenious and delicious.

Although there was a fair amount of international influence I can also say it had proudly South African roots with Bunny Chows and Braai Broodtjies showing off our national heritage. The Bunny Chows were packed with flavor, the curries were sensational and of course, love it or hate it, white bread is the perfect accompaniment with the curried mince. A flavour combo that will leave you wanting more.

There were chicken waffles and gin stands, home baked pastries and Argentinian meat, wood fired pizzas and brisket rolls… who would not be in heaven?

To top off the event they had seminars held by the likes of Abigail Donnely, the food Guru and editor for Woolworths Taste Magazine who shared her knowledge with eager listeners in the food arena.

The turn out was fantastic and to see people come together with the common love of food; tremendous.

THIS is what it is all about!

I can’t wait for next year! 
In true Capetonian style, the turn out and the venue will be bigger and better

-Melissa

coffee club, cape town

An interesting notion has gained traction on the footsteps of Table Mountain that may not be familiar to most South Africans with their heritage of boerewors, biltong and ‘moer koffie’.

The notion? Coffee as a luxury artisan product, to be likened to the viticulture of a fine wine.

Ask any self-proclaimed aficionado who produces the best coffee and be prepared to listen to a passionate explanation as to why one should advocate a particular blend over another.

HAAS

Founded by Francois Irvine, Glynn Venter and Tess Berlain in 2010, Haas was originally a gallery and store offering objet d’art. Originally situated in Bo Kaap, Haas recently moved to bigger premises on Buitenkant Street in the CBD. 

Haas imports beans from Indonesia and Brazil and also imports Kopi Luwak, the world’s most coveted coffee. (Kopi Luwak undergoes a rigorous rite of passage through the digestive tract of an Indonesian palm civit). Whether this is an ethically responsible product or not, I would recommend further reading into the trade and procurement practices for any prospective consumer.

My favourite is the House Blend –A rich, caramel flavoured, medium strength coffee.

The food matches the outstanding quality of the coffee and the décor indulges the senses at every turn.

ORIGIN  

The origins of Origin?

Origin was founded by Joel Singer and David Donde (who left Origin in 2009) and was the original kid on the coffee block 10 years ago. The team is almost single handedly responsible for bringing coffee culture to Cape Town through the establishment of a dedicated barista school and establishing one of the first specialty coffee associations. 

The tenets of the brand – quality, patience, craft and perfection – are synonymous with the outstanding quality and taste of the coffee.

Origin import their beans from Africa, South and Central America and Asia Pacific. 
Definitely try the siphon coffee – it brings out the exquisite aromas and nuances of the blend.

Bagels are baked every day – A MUST HAVE.

ESPRESSO LAB MICRO ROASTERS

Situated at the Old Biscuit Mill, Espresso Lab is at the forefront of coffee experimentation.

Founded in 2011 by Helene and Renato, their approach to coffee is precise – a hybrid of science meets holistic conscientiousness. The paradoxical nature of this roastery leaves an indelible mark on the senses.

Their coffee boasts a lower caffeine content, due to the origin of the beans. Beans grown in tropical regions have a higher caffeine content – caffeine being the coffee beans’ natural defense mechanism to ward off untoward visitors (insects and baristas sporting Acapulco shirts.) Beans are fruitier, allowing them to push the boundaries on drinking methods.

The apple juice, star anise, cinnamon and espresso cocktail named the Apple Fizz, is a definite must try. 

Don’t visit Espresso Lab to keep things simple - Be adventurous.

DELUXE  

Founded by Carl Wessel and Judd Francis Nicolay, the Deluxe crew have always struck me as the ’bad boys‘ of the coffee clan. Deluxe opened in 2010 and has continued to charge ahead of its contemporaries, showing up in the unlikeliest places considering its humble origins.

Tattoos, beards and a cavalier, devil-may-care attitude are the order of the day at Deluxe and I have a feeling that sticking it to ’the man‘ has never tasted so good.

Deluxe’s simple, honest approach to coffee pays off.

A sweet coffee as it’s predominantly a South American bean with a definite chocolate flavour. Think of it as a cookies and cream coffee, rounded off with an Ethiopian bean.

TRUTH

Aside from the fantastical steampunk interior of Truth coffee HQ, the stand out performer has to be COLLOSUS – Truth Coffee’s cast iron drum roaster, circa 1940.

Founded by David Donde in 2009, this coffee house has an incredible energy with friendly staff and astounding futuristic Victorian décor. Situated on Buitenkant Street in the CBD, Truth has been called “The best coffee shop in the world” by Tom Midlane, travel writer for MSN.

The coffee is creamy, strong and packs a punch – for the real caffeine fiend.

The interior is so fantastic that you feel as though you are lost in another era with great coffee, good food and quick service.

ROSETTA

Founded in 2010, Rosetta Roastery is tucked away in the Woodstock Exchange, and  is as small and quaint as their roaster. Owned by Jono Le Fevre and Rob Cowles,

variety is key to what they create. They pride themselves on representing the wide variety of flavours that exist naturally within coffee

Try the Reko Ethiopian bean, light in body and with intense aromatics with floral and citrus notes, making it a great filter coffee served as an Americano with no milk, so as not to destroy flavour.

In closing, with beans ethically hand picked from across the globe, delicate roasting formulas and specific pouring techniques from all these houses, I ask myself, why people are prepared to pay more for a fine wine yet they expect a fixed price on a cappuccino? The answer is a lack of education. Thankfully these coffee masters are leading the way and showing that coffee is not a generic taste to be found in a tin but rather it is something to be respected, mastered and appreciated for all its aspects.  

This article was also published with Crush magazine online, check it out here

-Melissa