Some of you may recall that a few months ago I partook in the launch of Nix Davies HARVEST exhibition.

She’s back with another exhibition of design products, plant concepts, fine art, installations and lights called MANMADE based around GROWTH and man’s fascination to manipulate this powerful, natural event.

In collaboration we’ll be hosting another BANQUET dinner next week on the 20th of June, 7pm. The cost is R150 including 3-course and wine, though feel free to bring your own drinks. We’ll be celebrating seasonality using locally reared and homegrown produce, cooked by me and team of volunteers.

If you’d like to book a seat at the table, you can do so by booking on-line.

My folks stay out in Franschhoek, their home tucked away at the base of the mountains, off the hustle and bustle of the main drag, the perfect place to unwind and catch-up with myself and family.

We ate like kings at Leopard’s Leap, Pierneef à La Motte and Babel, a firm favourite. It wasn’t overly indulgent though, we took a walk through the La Motte garden with chef Chris Erasmus, picked some veg, which I in turn roasted up in a honey glaze, just one of several home cooked meals over the weekend.

I spoilt myself by buying an iPad and downloaded several back issues of Trendenser, drank loads of coffee and took in the amazing views.

Nathan and I went for long forest walks, pranced around Babylonstoren, fed the donkeys, picked lemons and literally stopped to smell the roses.

The last weekend break I had was in November last year, it was beyond refreshing and I’ll be doing it more often, starting with a weekend away at Babylonstoren

Truth is my focus has been elsewhere of late. Some of you may already know this, but I’ve launched a new blog, Small Roar.

Small Roar is a creative hub for inspired modern parenting. As a parent of two kids under 3 I wanted to create a catch-all for creative ideas in DIY, Craft, Decor and Food for little ones. I felt that I needed to create a site dedicated to toddlers, rather than try to merge those ideas into Curate This Space.

If that hasn’t kept me busy enough I’ve also had several articles published this month. I’ve written a piece for Marie Claire on 48 Hours in Stellenbosch: Places to Eat, Things to Do and See and Where to Shop. My beetroot risotto recipe and vegetable growing tips are in this months Gourmet Magazine and the June issue of VISI hits shelves this week has a 6 page spread on Nathan’s “Office” come playhouse.

Outside of that I’ve also been keeping up with my weekly obligations at Curbly, take a peek at a few of my latest recipes.

Grilled Chicken Salad with Chunky Guacamole via Curbly

Melanzane alla Parmigiana via Curbly

Pea and Feta Frittata With A Green Salad via Curbly

All this to say, I’ve been very busy, balancing my work obligations, family and marriage. I’m not sure how often I’ll be posting over here, but please pop in from time to time to see what’s new and use the “subscribe to this blog” form over in the right hand sidebar to be updated when new posts are published.

You can also keep up to date with me on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the Small Roar Facebook page.

For the past few months, celebrity Chef Reuben Riffel and the team at Robertsons Spices have been trawling hundreds of South African food blogs. Their mission? To uncover the official Robertsons Spicemaster Blogger, who’ll be keeping readers up to date over the course of this years MasterChef South Africa (Season 2).

Today, myself and 6 local food bloggers descended on The SA Chef’s Academy to participate in a ‘Mystery Box Challenge’, the ingredients unveiled before us, then given 45mins to whip up an original dish.

Provided were a whole chicken and a chorizo sausage. Straight away I went to work on creating a crispy lemon and thyme roast chicken served atop a Spanish infused cassoulet.

The chicken perfectly seasoned with Robertsons Atlantic salt & course black pepper, lemon juice, olive oil and fresh thyme, the cassoulet, a fusion of carrots, onion, celery braised with a hint of Roberstons Garlic Flakes and Mixed Herbs, seasoned with salt and pepper, tinned tomatoes and chickpeas, topped with garlic breadcrumbs.

Followers will know my inspiration are the ingredients themselves, less is more, letting the flavours shine, and seasoned to taste. I let the ingredients shine, from the fresh produce down to the fragrant Robertsons spices.

Sadly I didn’t win the cook off, though it was great fun and we all left with a rack of spices and small enamel pot from Le Creuset.

I ran into the lovely Marissa from Opus Studio yesterday while collecting my stash of coffee beans from Tribe Coffee (seriously, their single origin Guatemalan roast is about the only thing getting me through these sleepless nights with the kids!).

She mentioned to me that she was thinking about putting together a Mother’s Day Hamper including trinkets from likes of Tribe Coffee, Lauren Fowler, Honest Chocolate and of course Opus Studio. Are you freaking kidding me, I want that hamper, NOW.

The hamper includes:

• 250g Tribe Coffee
• 60g Honest Chocolate
• An Opus Hanging Succulent
• And lastly a Lauren Fowler Gift Card

All of this for R280 people! Seriously, forgo the silly bath salts this weekend and buy Mom something she’d appreciate, oh, and I’ll take one for myself.

In addition, you can add a gift voucher to the value of your choice from neighbouring Benedikt Bookshop.

To place your order e-mail Marissa at mothersdaygifthamper@gmail.com, you’ll need to collect it from Opus Studio on Fri/Sat ahead of the big event on Sunday.

Wishing you all a “Happy Mother’s Day”

I attended Decorex Cape Town ’13 yesterday as an invited media guest.

I’ve been attending in a personal capacity for over 7yrs and in that time I’ve noticed a large shift in exhibitors. When it started it was smaller and niche, it’s growing into being more of a ‘on-stop’ shop, much like Homemakers is/was, which in my opinion makes it harder to find new, up and coming creative talent, many of whom are squirreled away between stands selling LED lighting or the latest flooring options.

My hope is that this brief whirlwind tour will give you a few of my personal highlights and keep you design focused, unless your thing is ogling at scantily clad lederhosen wearing models? Incidentally, you’ll find a few of over at the Afrox Gas Stand.

Right, so in no particular order, here are my show picks.

Revered stylist and interior designer, Tracy Lee Lynch chose to interpret this years theme, “Bliss”. Her dramatic and beautiful entrance installation, showcases the worldwide revival of cross-stitch as a design trend, with her unique sense of whimsical nostalgia.

French artist, Frederique Morrel’s up-cycled tapestry pieces are truly breathtaking. I was introduced to her work in the latest issue of VISI Magazine, but no image can do justice to her remarkable works. A MUST SEE!

My dear friend, Lauren Fowler was out in full force, showcasing her line of all-consuming crafty goodness, from self-stitch cross-stitch kits to her adorable animal prints. She shares her stand with decor from one of my favourite local furniture/homeware designers, Dark Horse.

Make your way over to Lady Bonin’s Tea Parlour, Jess is serving up a special blend of tea just for the Decorex, tying into their “Bliss” theme, a blend of Rooibos, lavender and dried strawberries.

Grazia Magazine joins forces with Vamp Furniture to showcase this beautiful mid-century modern living room, complete with the Tretchikoff and J.H. Lynch prints. I’m loving Skinny Laminx new “rough cuts” patterns, they blend timelessly into most settings.

As always, Stefan Frylinck from Space For Life has outdone himself. Visit his designer Scandinavian Room over at Volvo’s #MADEFORYOU Designer Pods.
 

Kraftisan are joint exhibiting with Design Times, paying homage to Pantone’s colour of the year, Emerald. Take a peek at their latest Flapstand offering and stock up on Honest Chocolate and limited edition cover prints.

I’ve long admired Crosley turntables, a US brand that has been creating and selling low-cost turntables since 1920! They’ve not been available to local consumers, but have just landed a local distributor and will be hitting our shores at the end of the month.

Head on over to the The Cape Craft & Design Institute’s stand and take a peek at some of the best local, small-scale artists and craftsmen. The show stopper for me has to be Indigi Designs, based in Woodstock they offer a wide range of textile design and bespoke steel homewares.

Lastly, Woodlam, everything is fantastic, but my highlight is their latest offering, a portable panel heater called the VARME, encased in a natural birch ply these heaters are not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing and a modest R1,500 each.
Decorex offers something for everyone, the design lover, avid DIY’er and tradesman.

Even though I combed the floors for 2hrs, I’m sure I missed a few gems, so feel free to comment and share your own show highlights.

Image courtesy of Decorex SA

Tapping right into the prevailing mood of frenetic anxiety and heightened life pressures, Decorex Cape Town is preparing to help us find an answer to life’s décor and design challenges and transport visitors to a state of complete and utter “Bliss”.

Decorex Cape Town celebrates its 15th birthday this year and has challenged top Cape Town interior designers to make this years’ show one of the most unforgettable ever.

As South Africa’s finest décor, design and lifestyle exhibition, Decorex SA leaves no stone unturned in their quest to showcase the very latest in hip and happening trends. Decorex Cape Town, in partnership with sponsors Plascon, M-Net and Sunday Times, takes place from 25th – 28th April 2013, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

With the “Bliss” theme as inspiration for this year’s Decorex, the Cape Town interior designers taking part will showcase designs, colours, furniture and ideas that will inspire homeowners to find or create a sanctuary in their own homes. Decorex Cape Town promises an unrivalled showcase ensuring visitors are kept up to speed with international must-sees and inspiration. Informed by the very latest décor, design and lifestyle trends from around the world, Decorex Cape Town 2013 is the place to be.

“Bliss is all about finding the simple moments of contentment in your own life,” says Sian Steyn, General Manager of Events and Exhibitions at Decorex SA. “There is now an emphasis on taking out the fussy bits, adding a lot of soul, handmade essentials and always doing it responsibly. It’s design made simple, easy and usable.”

Image courtesy of Decorex SA

Award winning Cape Town interior designer and stylist, Tracy Lee Lynch will interpret the show theme, bliss, with an oversized cross stitch installation to remind us all of the tremendous value of a quiet time spent filled with whimsy and nostalgia. Tracy says her design concept featuring feminine craft and colour will depict “a blissful knowing that South Africa’s future is fantastical and exciting, driven by design and all that can be imagined.”

The “Bliss” theme will be reflected elsewhere at the show as visitors will be inspired by overstated textures such as crochets, knits and felting. Vibrant colour prints will also be popular, ranging from oversized flowers to the more retro colour blocking patterns.

Steyn adds: “This season the trend in colour is influenced by the mood of society; we are drawn to colours that reflect how we feel. We’re seeing the mix of hot neon’s with soft pastels creating a playful element, while natural hues are versatile and calming.”

Image courtesy of Decorex SA

Proud sponsors of Decorex SA since its inception, Plascon will showcase their exciting 2013 Colour Forecast “Balance” in a room setting transformed into four unique looks simply by using paint. Hailed as the colour go-to guide by the interior industry each year, the Plascon Colour Forecast is the much-anticipated last word on the very latest hot, hip and happening colour trends.

Also launching at Decorex Cape Town will be the latest Plascon Spaces magazine with the theme “The Colour of Emotion”. “This issue explores not only how a place looks after a new coat of paint, but how it feels,” says Plascon colour manager Anne Roselt.

There’s also been a return to simplicity that visitors will see in a new kind of luxury in the décor and design world. With a focus on handmade, bespoke and high-end designs. Products of genuine artisanal design have become a massive trend in South Africa and around the world, and these items can be spotted at Decorex Cape Town, where some of the best handmade designs in South Africa will be showcased.

Expected to be the most talked installation is the Decorex Designer Spotlight. Zimbabwe-born interior designer Stephen Lasker, who is also the head of Cape Town interior design studio Edge Interiors, and official agent for Moooi in SA, is the invitee for this. Decorex Designer Spotlight and certain to create an installation in keeping with his own personal style as well as the quirky Moooi signature.

Decorex Cape Town 2013 will no doubt set the scene for trend-forward South African’s, having amassed an inspiring combination of high end exhibitors, workshops and demonstrations. Decorex Cape Town takes place at the CTICC, 25 – 28 April 2013.

Decorex Cape Town Exhibition details:
25th – 28th April 2013
10h00 – 19h00 
CTICC
Hours: 10:00 – 19:00
Tickets: R70 for adults, R60 for pensioners and students, R10 for children U12 
Trade days: Thursday 25th & Friday 26th April 2013 (register online)

Visit www.decorex.co.za for more info
Facebook: Decorex SA
Twitter: @decorexSA
www.decorex.co.za

Decorex Cape Town forms part of the Decorex SA portfolio and is owned by the Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group.

WIN TICKETS TO DECOREX CAPE TOWN

Decorex has graciously offered me a double set of tickets to give away to the event. If you’d like to win them, just leave a comment below and tell me what your “Bliss” is.

Entries close this Friday, 19th April.

A winner will be drawn randomly and be noticed via e-mail

 

Morphosis Design Studios are Warno Rüde and Werner Venter, based out of Pretoria these two young gentlemen are forging a force in the local design scene.

I first ‘discovered’ them at last years Design Indaba Expo where they were part of the ever talented group of ‘Emerging Creatives’, launching a line of 3 custom-made furniture pieces made from Iroko (Nigerian Teak), a dense and durable wood that contains its own natural oils.

Fast forward to Design Indaba Expo 2013 and they’re back with a joint design with wooly wonder woman, Ronel Jordaan, aptly titled ‘The Chopstix Lamp’.

In their words:

Our new chopstix lamp is a combination of high quality materials and craftsmanship. The clean modern bamboo frame in combination with the 100% wool, from Ronel Jordaan, results in a sculptural light that can be used for ambient lighting in any room. Available in four colours. (light fittings included).

The lamp is available directly from Morphosis for R1100.00 (price at the time of publishing) along with their earlier offerings.

Some of you might recall that I was up for a nomination in the Eat Out DStv Food Network Produce Awards for best local food blog, I didn’t win, but none-the-less the evening proved to be a wonderful night out at the Old Biscuit Mill, the crowing glory being longtime friend Martin Raubenheimer of Cure Deli walking away with best new product for his Bacon Jam (shown above).

The winners were selected by a panel of judges, including MasterChef judge Pete Goffe-Wood, current Eat Out Chef of the Year Margot Janse, Jackie Cameron, Anna Trapido, Anelde Greeff and Abigail Donnelly.
 
The 2013 Eat Out DStv Food Network Produce Award winners are:



Best new product: Cure Deli bacon jam, Bergvliet, Western Cape

Best small producers:
Grocery / condiments: Karma Home Products, Kestell. Free State
Dairy (cheese): Pépé Charlot Cheese Maker, Craighall Park, Gauteng
Dairy (other): Gourmet Greek, Lions River, KwaZulu-Natal
Paddock (fresh): Greenfields, Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal
Paddock (cured): Jewell & Co., Franschhoek, Western Cape
Earth: Magic Herbs, Porterville, Western Cape
Bakery: The Bread Gypsy, Pretoria, Gauteng

Best organic/free-range producer: Farmer Angus for pasture-reared beef mince and eggs, Stellenbosch, Western Cape

South African food heritage award: Enaleni Farm for zebra beans, Enaleni farm, KwaZulu-Natal

Outstanding markets and outlets:
Outstanding market South: Neighbourgoods Market, Woodstock, Cape Town
Outstanding outlet South: Wild Peacock Food Emporium, Stellenbosch
Outstanding market East: The Food Market, Durban North
Outstanding outlet East: Spice Emporium, Durban
Outstanding market North: Pretoria Boeremark, Silverton, Pretoria
Outstanding outlet North: Braeside Butchery, Parkhurst, Johannesburg
Outstanding outlet Central: Polkadeli’cious Deli, Bethlehem

And the best local food blog award was taken by a teary eyed (joy of course!) Anél Potgieter who runs www.lifeisazoobiscuit.com.

As you may have guessed by now I’m an advocate for sustainable living, the provenance of the food that ends up on your plate, in particular fish.

WWF-SASSI have made it easier for local consumers to look into the sustainability of the fish bought and sold in stores and served in local restaurants. They are graded in three tiers, Green, Orange & Red. Green being sustainable, Orange being ‘think again’, which is not only to do with the fish stock levels, but how the fish are caught and lastly Red, plain and simple, don’t eat them!

Partnering with Pick n’ Pay they sought out to promote and herald local chef’s who are committed to the initiative by hosting their inaugural SASSI Seafood Circle.

The criteria on which the restaurants and chefs were assessed were:

• The restaurant’s seafood sustainability policy;
  The effectiveness of their communication of their seafood sustainability practices to their customers, employees and suppliers;
  Their level of engagement in communicating their seafood sustainability practices to a wider audience (e.g. via social media, TV appearances, etc.);
  The ‘Trailblazer factor’ i.e. those chefs and restaurants that are going the extra mile in promoting and supporting seafood sustainability.

45 restaurants were shortlisted as SASSI Seafood Circle candidates and this was whittled down to a shortlist of 12 restaurants.

Bronwen Rohland, Director Marketing and Sustainability at Pick n Pay said, “In line with Pick n Pay’s commitment to only stock sustainably sourced seafood by the end of 2015, this is an exciting step in recognising restaurants who are also encouraging, supporting and implementing sustainable seafood practices. We believe that the SASSI Seafood Circle will help to both raise awareness and guide more consumers to make sustainable seafood choices.”

The 12 deserving WWF-SASSI Trailblazers are:

Brad Ball from Bistro 1682, Steenberg
Vanessa Marx from Dear Me, Cape Town
Jackie Cameron from Hartford House, Mooi River
Henry Vigar from La Mouette, Seapoint
Tanja Kruger from Majeka House, Stellenbosch
Bjorn Guido from The Millhouse, Somerset West
Rudi Liebenberg from The Mount Nelson, Cape Town
Kevin Joseph from Oyster Box, Durban
Chris Erasmus from Pierneef a la Motte, Franschoek
Bertus Basson from Overture, Stellenbosch
Marthinus Ferreira from DW Eleven-13, Johannesburg
Stefan Marais from Societi Bistro, Cape Town

I’m proud to call many of these chef’s friends and it’s no surprise to me that their passion and commitment to sustainable practices have led to acknowledgement from the community at large. Major kudos guys, MAJOR.

If you want to catch a glimpse of what happened on the night (and a brief cameo) take a look below.