Birthdays, Celebrities & Gourmet markets
If it is Saturday in Cape Town, gourmands head to The Palms Décor & Lifestyle Center to acquire some provisions for the week ahead. Over the last two years this venue has acquired the air of a sophisticated farmers’ market in Europe. Freshly harvested vegetables, fruit and herbs are sold next to artisanal meat products and fantastical baking treats.
In a first for Spekko Rice, the brand will on Saturday 15 February host a celebrity pop-up cook-off in in conjunction with food writer, Sarie magazine blogger and market stallholder Isabella Niehaus. The occasion is the 2nd birthday of Isabella’s “Platteland” stall at The Palms and the launch of a new Kattebak market inspired by the French “brocante” car boot sales.
The recipe for the day includes:
- 6 top chefs and foodies
- 5 celebrity food judges
- A basket of ingredients chosen by Isabella Niehaus
- Spectacular prizes for visitors
- 2 years’ trading for Isabella
- Spekko Rice’s 5 “best rice in the world” range
- plus a bottle of win
……all mixed together for a serious cook-off competition between those in the inner circle of foodies in Cape Town.
The fun starts at 10 am with the judging at 12 pm.
The contestants
- Marinda Engelbrecht – kykNet Kokkedoor season 2013 finalist
- Herman Lensing – food editor for Sarie magazine and author of the runaway best-seller cookbook, Voorskoot
- Nina Timm – RSG food presenter also known as blogger Cuberchef
- Bernice van der Merwe – the owner of the My Basaar restaurant in Cape Town and former Huisgenoot and You food assistant
- Zola Nene – presenter on the Expresso Show
- Johnny Hamman – chef and artistical director of Aleit Weddings
The judges
- Eloise Pretorius – presenter on Smile Radio
- Ingrid Jones – editor of Mango Airline’s Juice in-flight magazine
- Chris von Ulmenstein – Whale Cottage Portfolio blogger
- Carmen Niehaus – food editor Huisgenoot and You magazines
The Spekko Rice range
- Spekko Royal Umbrella Parboiled Long Grain Rice
- Spekko India Gate Classic Basmati Rice
- Spekko Saman Parboiled Rice
- Spekko Saman Brown Rice
- Spekko Saman White Rice
“This market has grown into a real gem – a platteland atmosphere, people and characters of note, trading like the good old days on the village square. You won’t get it more real, friendly and personal”, says Isabella Niehaus. The day will include the usual 40 plus market stalls, entertainer Dave Ferguson and of course free entry and parking.
The address is: The Palms Décor & Lifestyle Centre, 145 Sir Lowry Rd, Woodstock, (021) 462 0394. www.palms.co.za.
Follow twitter @ThePalmsCentre or Market at the Palms on Facebook.