Food & Wine at Plett Food Film Festival

We have just experienced the second  annual Plett Food Film Festival which ran from 9th -11th July.

Wow what a lot of fun and superb entertainment.  The organisers Plett Tourism, and iKasi Media did an exceptional job in presenting this festival. It showcased Plett at its best.  Our little town became a bustle of live entertainment excellent food and classic movies . You would have been forgiven if you thought you were elsewhere.

The second night we were treated to a Cheese & Wine, an amazing spread of local cheeses made by our fine artisans like Alje from Fynboshoek in the Tsitsikamma and my Italian neighbour Marco from Ice Dream Land with his delicious Gorgonzola. All accompanied by artisanal breads from  LeFournil. The table was bending under the spread! Plett Winelands showcased their wine and sparkling bubbly accompanied by canapes  from local chefs. The White House screened “ A Year in Burgundy” . We do hope our Plett Winelands make history like Burgundy.

Cheese & Wine

The final  evening  was an evening of hot spicy delight, with my favourite Chef Reza Mahammad doing a cooking demonstration of “Sweet Potato Cakes” while reciting one of William Makepeace Thackerays poems.   The movie ”The Lunchbox”  an Eastern delight set in Mumbai was full of rediscovering ones hopes and dreams.

Reza reciting Thackerays poem

We were treated to an array of Indian dishes created by Reza and his team of local cooking  girls.

My highlights were meeting Reza and the delicious dessert – ice cream …Cardamom infused Pistachio & Almond made by our very own Ice Palazzo.  A wonderful way to end an evening and a fantastic festival.

Cardamom,Pistachio & Almond infused Ice Cream

So if you missed this year you best make a plan to be here in 2016. Promised to be even bigger and better.

Poem to Curry

– William Makepeace Thackeray (1811 -1863)

Three pounds of veal my darling girl prepares,
And chops it nicely into little squares;
Five onions next procures the little minx
(The biggest are the best, her Samiwel thinks),
And Epping butter nearly half a pound,
And stews them in a pan until they’re brown’d.

What’s next my dexterous little girl will do?
She pops the meat into the savoury stew,
With curry-powder table-spoonfuls three,
And milk a pint (the richest that may be),
And, when the dish has stewed for half an hour,
A lemon’s ready juice she’ll o’er it pour.

Then, bless her! Then she gives the luscious pot
A very gentle boil – and serves quite hot.
PS – Beef, mutton, rabbit, if you wish,
Lobsters, or prawns, or any kind fish,
Are fit to make a CURRY. ‘Tis, when done,
A dish for Emperors to feed upon.

An Indian Feast