Caterers
have always been our friends. We are happy to recommend those whose food we
have enjoyed at functions and relationships have grown over the years. So it
was with delight that we attended the opening of Food Fanatics’ new function
venue in an 1820 farmhouse in Constantia Main Road this week. For many years
Elaine Rousseau and her crew have been rushing all over the Cape to cater for
functions, sometimes two or three on one day; now she and the crew can do it all
from their great venue. Check out their web site http://foodfanatics.co.za/ if you
are interested in using them at the Homestead
It
used to be a vegetarian restaurant and the gated entrance is in the road behind
with plenty of fenced parking and a security guard
It was a bit of a rainy evening, so they had put
up a marquee on the lawn where they can hold the larger functions. The lawn is
perfect for weddings, launches or parties. There are other spaces around and
inside the house for smaller groups.
They had a great Braai station at the back of the
kitchen with lovely things cooking for the supper spread
and a Meze Table too, inside
We sat in the Library, which is a central room with
a nice fireplace. Very suitable for a ladies who lunch table of 6 perhaps? Or a
tea party
Mini Fig tart tatins topped with blue cheese
cream. Food Fanatics has always been so good a creating great canapés
Tiny deep fried crumbed suppli, a.k.a arancini or
rice balls with mushrooms
Huge, sweet & tender tempura prawns with a good
savoury Thai chilli dipping sauce
A humus dip, topped with honey and crushed nut
Wonderful hot haloumi cheese and filo pies with
dill and lemon
The very organised kitchen, with each of the chefs getting
on with their appointed tasks of making us delicious food
Searing broccoli and leeks
It was quietly industrious
The braai station with tiny brochettes of chicken
sosaties. They also make killer Karoo lamb ribbetjies
Getting ready to eat
Lynne in the library with Elaine. She was
wonderful to us after our car accident, when she lent us a van so that we could
get to market. We will never forget the kindness
The bar kept everyone well oiled too. They served
Klein Steenberg red and sauvignon blanc
The long table in the room for sit down dinners,
buffets or cocktail events
Caroline van Schalkwyk from Steenberg relaxing in
the Library
And the buffet is ready: Parma ham, seared
artichokes and broccoli with leeks
Beautiful seared pink tuna, herb encrusted
Tomato tapenade with asparagus and grated parmesan
A fantastic selection of different breads. The
olive sticks were perfection
More of those artichokes and, in the background, boquerones - soused fresh white anchovies, a very popular Spanish tapas
The humus dip we saw in the kitchen
Chorizo and chick peas with humus
A beetroot, pomegranate and pistachio dip
More of those warm arancini with mushrooms
Elaine's cookbook collection.
Time to serve oneself from the groaning boards
Listening to Elaine talking about The Homestead
and their future plans for it
She feels that she has come home
Chilly evening; warm and friendly event
©
John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus
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