www.zululandobserver.co.za
20 DECEMBER 2013
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An award most unexpected... LAURIE SMITH opular Empangeni restaurant Nam Jai House has put yet another ‘notch’ in its proverbial belt - this time by winning the RASA (Restaurant Association of SA) Rosetta Service Award for International/Alternative/Experiential Restaurant at a glittering function in Gauteng. ‘At first, when I received the email to advise me to go to Johannesburg, I was very skeptical about it - this just doesn’t happen to anyone in a small town like Empangeni,’ said restaurant owner Annemarie Benecke. ‘So I phoned the Restaurant Association and told the representative I’m very busy this time of the year and if this was not important, he should be honest and tell me. ‘He then told me that it was an honour and a prestigious award and that
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I should come to Johannesburg.’ The restaurant - which specialises in sushi and Thai and oriental fusion foods - was nominated and won after a food critic dined there as a mystery diner. ‘I kept the news quiet, and only my family, staff and very close friends knew what was going on.’ Still not taking the nomination too seriously, Annemarie and her husband Peter travelled to Johannesburg to attend the event. ‘When we arrived in Johannesburg, I phoned the RASA representative on his cell phone and asked him what the dress code was.
‘I’m glad I checked, because he told me it was black tie! We rushed out to Fourways mall and bought some outfits, got hold of a tailor and had the clothing altered. On Monday afternoon my husband took me to a hairdresser to have my hair done and when I was done, he surprised me and told me he had arranged for someone to do my makeup professionally.’ Annemarie says that evening, they walked the red carpet and were treated ‘like royalty’. The announcement - and the surprise At the formal ceremony, it was announced that there were no fewer than
fifteen categories in total - and the long wait began. ‘The top restaurants in the country were announced, and it was nerve-wracking. I kept receiving messages to ask what the latest news was and I could not give them any!’ After the first ten awards they had a break, and by then Annemarie says she was convinced they made a mistake. ‘After the break they announced that the next five awards and nominations were the most prestigious of the event. Finally, after hours of uncertainty, and several days of being convinced the nomination was an error, Nam Jai House was named the winner of the International/Alternative/Experiential Restaurant. ‘I was so overwhelmed, I cannot express it in words. I am still on cloud nine, as it has been such a wonderful, exciting event. It is so awesome to be recognised for your hard work.’
A celebration fit for a king LAURIE SMITH t was a sumptuous affair, but not a selfindulgent one. The person who was the ‘woman of the hour’ - Nam Jai owner and head chef Annemarie Benecke - was not sitting back and enjoying the praise after winning her RASA Rosetta Award, but rather she worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the guests at her award celebration function enjoyed no fewer than 20 delicious courses. Invited guests were greeted by exquisitely decorated tables and friendly waitron staff, who knew most by name and ushered them to their seats with an ice cold cocktail in hand. And then the feast began... Cheese platters were followed by blini with crumbed crocodile and smoked salt. As diners were still relishing the last bites, platters laden with Hong Kong pears and prawn toast appeared from the kitchen. They were followed by calamari stuffed with cream cheese and crab cakes
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on pear salad. The twenty courses - each prepared under the watchful eyes and careful hands of Annemarie, were rounded off with sweet delights, including a deconstructed pandan tart and chocolate truffles. ‘I would like to thank you with this meal tonight - each and every one of you,’ said Annemarie when she popped briefly from the kitchen to show her appreciation - and receive a hearty round of applause from the full house.
PHOTOS: Sweet Memory Productions
DEYNECKE ENGINEERING & SERVICES CC
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