Chef's Table

Michelin-starred chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen's ultimate Sunday Lunch

SA's first Michelin-star chef dreams up the guest list and menu for a fantasy feast

23 July 2017 - 00:00

Guests I would invite to my fantasy Sunday lunch:
• C. Louis Leipoldt, because he remains one of the foremost authorities on one of my deepest passions - South African heritage food.
• Tom Ford, for no other reason than to spend an afternoon in his company to talk about ideas. He's fearless.
• Queen Elizabeth II, because I would love to see how she slurps up a bowl of boontjie sop with lamb knuckles.
•Koos Kombuis singing Lisa se Klavier.
• Photographer Annie Leibovitz to discuss shutter speed and F-stops.
• Marie Antoinette, as I would like her to try my melkkos macaroons. Annie will take a photo of her face as she tries them.Who else would be there:
My Ouma Wessie. Just because she had a fantastic appetite and would help with the preparation and dishes like no one else can! 
What we'd talk about:
Don't think my ouma would understand Tom Ford and Queen Elizabeth, which might make it one of the most exciting conversations ever.
I would literally hang on Leipoldt's lips. I'd constantly have one eye on the English and a vicious eye on Koos and my ouma, as I know they'd get up to mischief.What I'd serve:
Melkkos macaroons, because nothing spells Sundays like melkkos. (Recipe in The French Affair, Tables of Love published by Penguin Random House.)
Litres of South African wine and mampoer.Who would do the washing up:
Ouma Wessie and Queen Elizabeth. My ouma's name is also Elizabeth (she got her nickname "Wessie", from her surname, Van der Westhuizen). This would be a bonding time for the two special Elizabeths.
• Meet Van der Westhuizen at The Good Food & Wine Show at the Ticketpro Dome, Northgate, July 28-30.
• Find a collection of Van der Westhuizen's favourite culinary creations and cultural curiosities at janhendrik.com..

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