On an early autumnal morning in Cape Town, I find myself roaming the backslope of Table Mountain, one of a party of three. Deep in the forest ahead, I hear Chef Chris Erasmus enthusiastically proclaim a find. Pausing for the briefest of moments, I up my pace and follow in the general direction of his excitement. Climbing over a decaying branch in the mushy forest undergrowth, I offer up a plea, silently imploring that this branch not be home to one of the 22 species of snakes to be found on the mountain.
As I approach Chef Chris and Chef Milda Deale, the third member of our party, I catch the phrase 'Lactarius deliciosus', which I subsequently learn translates to pine ring mushrooms. Chris kneels to gently extract a specimen from the forest floor using a knife, explaining that pine rings are edible mushrooms most often identified by their orange and green cap. But it's the delicate circles that entice my photographer's eye as I fire off a few frames of the fungi. The three of us are on a foraging foray, seeking out mushrooms that Milda will later use to create some rather interesting dishes. But it all depends on what we find.
Chris is well known as a great forager and is somewhat fanatical about using ultra-local ingredients in his culinary creations, which speaks to my soul. He honed his philosophy and opened his restaurant, Foliage, Franschhoek, in 2014. That was off the back of work experience in kitchens worldwide, including the US, Brazil, Amsterdam, Salzburg and as head chef at Pierneef at La Motte. Sadly, Covid claimed Foliage, and today, Chris continues to pour out his culinary passions as the group head chef at Newmark Hotels & Reserves, as he guides and shares his incredible knowledge with head chefs at each of their properties.
Denne historien er fra Garden&Home; July 2024-utgaven av South African Garden and Home.
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Denne historien er fra Garden&Home; July 2024-utgaven av South African Garden and Home.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Winter Warmer
Properly insulated homes are the next frontier for South Africa in a world of higher energy costs and a harsher climate
Carved in MARBLE
Use marble around your home to create an instantly luxurious feel
A Lesson From The Animal Kingdom
Not all of us are graceful ballet dancers or stylish fashion followers, but we can still stake a claim to elegance
Nature's Hidden Harvest
Clutching a bovine bolete deep inside a pine forest, Ryan Enslin discovers nature's bounty as he unearths her hidden gems and edible treasures
PAPER BRIQUETTES
Fuel your winter fire with these home-made briquettes made from recycled paper that you would otherwise throw away. Each brick burns for up to 1.5 hours
WINTER DOS AND DON'TS HOUSEPLANTS
Winter houseplant care is not complicated, but there are a few essential tips to follow to keep your plants alive until spring arrives
In The Garden
July Garden To-dos
ELEGANT AGAVES
Low-maintenance and always looking their best, you can't ask for much more from these showstoppers
MIRROR UPDATE
Turn any old or plain rectangular mirror into luxe home decor with this simple and beginner-friendly DIY
LOFT LUXE
This Cape Town loft remodel, inspired by Balinese living, shows how much of an impact minimalist design can make in small spaces