Constantia Uitsig: The Cookbook by Roz Wrottesley, Gail Jennings, Frank Swainston, Franck Dangereux, Judy Badenhorst & Graham Isaacson, Photos by Alain Proust, ISBN 186872445X
Presentation copy inscribed, dated & signed by Chef Frank Swainston on the front free end paper thus: "FOR Shirley - Best wishes Happy Cooking Frank Swainston. Feb 2006"; Struik Publishers 2000 1st ed/6th printing, 160pp., text generally in decent order albeit with slight browning to page edges, spine very slightly cocked & boards very slight bowed, bumping & rubbing to the board corners at the bottom, to the bottom of the front board (+ some scuffing), sides of both & to the top & bottom of the spine, front board slightly yellowed, both boards have some marks & indentations, the dust jacket has internal & external yellowing, is rubbed & creased at the top of the front, rear & spine with scuffing to the top corners & top of the spine, both front & rear have many marks, scratches & indentations - rear also has the original price label affixed (or, rather, most of it) to the bottom right hand corner.
The broad wine lands of Constantia Uitsig spread along the foothills of the Constantiaberg and reach right up to the forest belt, dating
back to 1796. Bought by the McCays in 1988, the farm has been restored to its former glory and now boasts three restaurants (two of which are award-winners), a private cricket oval, 16 luxurious cottages, and a wine shop. Constantia Uitsig offers a glimpse of this historic wine farm, but the majority of the book is devoted to recipes from the exclusive Constantia Uitsig Restaurant which serves Mediterranean food with a South African twist; La Colombe, in which Provincial cuisine is served in a relaxed atmosphere, and the Spaanshemat River Cafe This book is a revealing look at current trends in South African cuisine, and is filled with mouth-watering images of the heavenly dishes served by this world class restaurant. Perfect for cooks, foodies, and anyone who cherishes great cooking.
From December 2008: 'La Colombe at Constantia Uitsig in Cape Town has walked away with two prestigious 2008 Prudential Eat Out Restaurant Awards: Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year, to chef Luke Dale-Roberts. The Awards are regarded as the "Oscars" of the restaurant industry - and are judged by an esteemed panel that includes Eat Out's award-winning editor, Abigail Donnelly; as well as restaurateur, Dario De Angeli; director of the SA Chefs Association, Arnold Tanzer; and food alchemist, Peter Goffe-Wood.
Topping a shortlist of 20 nominees, La Colombe was applauded by Donnelly. "La Colombe excelled on all levels of an award-winning
restaurant. It"s the complete and ultimate dining experience. Luke Dale-Roberts cooks the finest cuisine using the very best ingredients and has superb technical skills, ambition and individuality - he has the "wow" factor."
The glamorous award ceremony was held at the Westin Grand in Cape Town on Sunday, 30 November. Guests were treated to a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime culinary experience, created by four award-winning chefs - Bertus Basson (Overture), Franck Dangereux (The Foodbarn), George Jardine (Jardine) and Phillippe Wagenfuhrer (Roots at The Forum Homini). The meal was a symphony of balanced tastes and textures that featured seasonal ingredients sourced from South Africa's finest producers.
The 2008 Prudential Eat Out Service Award went to Terroir in Stellenbosch. "We celebrated Terroir as the winner for service since
this year. All the judges experienced a great attitude from the service staff at Terroir - from the reservation and menu knowledge to
matching wine with food. It"s about hiring the right people, training them in the chef"s methods and philosophies and then keeping them happy and developing their skills," Donnelly explains.
The Prudential Eat Out Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to Frank Swainston, former chef patron at Constantia Uitsig. During his 12 year tenure, Swainston became known for his generosity: with his staff, his guests and on his plates.' Frank Swainston died in 2008
Will ship by Royal Mail 1st Class Signed for, well packaged.
(£5.55/uber/lang)