4 November 2020
www.thevillagenews.co.za
13
It’s Angie, it’s Kleinmond, it’s Just Delicious Writer Elaine Davie
Y
ou’ve been running from pillar to post all day and you’re too exhausted to cook. You have unexpected guests and it’s too late to cook. Your wife is away and you’re sick of braais. Never fear, Angie is here. There was a sense of jubilation in the air at the launch recently of Angie McCormick’s new venture in Kleinmond called Just Delicious. Angie, her daughter, Yvette and assistant, Mary Lehopa have moved into one of the smallest shops in town and are already cooking up a storm.
Somerset West, as well as a pie shop both there and in Long Street, Cape Town, followed by The Rose and Thorn, an upmarket restaurant and wedding venue, also in Somerset West. When she was persuaded to retire three years ago by her late husband, Peter, she reluctantly sold her business in Kleinmond. But sitting still was not for her and before long she was at it again with a stall at the Elgin Station Market. After a year and a half there, once again her children suggested it might be time to put her feet up and relax.
She will be remembered by all her fans in Kleinmond as well as many visitors from further afield for the delicious fresh-made meals, pies and sweet treats she produced at Angie’s Pudding and Pie. On the other hand, Hermanus residents still have fond memories of Yve’s Pudding and Pie on Marine Drive and Yvette’s famous cheesecake. Mary, too, is a long-time member of the dream team, having joined Angie in 2008.
This time her ‘retirement’ lasted six months. And then came lockdown and a new opportunity for the ever-resourceful Angie. With people unable to visit restaurants, but hungry for a change in diet, she, Yvette and Mary started cooking and delivering freshly-cooked meals to local residents twice a week. Soon, they could barely keep up with all the cooking and delivering and they decided the next step would be to find a small venue, centrally-located, where a selection of meals would be available for collection every day.
A mother of four children – all daughters – and grandmother of five, Angie is a workaholic and multi-tasker of note, with many years of experience as a foodie, having owned a pub in
“I was a bit dubious at first about the size of this one,” she says, “but it’s all worked out well in the end. It’s right in the centre of town with plenty of parking across the road at the OK and,
of course, there’s no need for seating, because it’s not an actual restaurant. Another plus is that our next-door neighbours are William Chiwara and his wife, Florence, and their renowned Natural Health coffee shop. What a perfect fit!” Customers come to collect a meal or a slice of cake from Just Delicious and pop in next door for a coffee or health-shake from William, or vice versa. Together, they serve coffee with scones and cream on Sundays. Be sure to drop in for a real treat. The Just Delicious team has two or three full meals to choose from every day of the week, as well as Sunday lunch. In fact, a roast of some kind is a daily option. Angie’s success lies in the quality of her ingredients and her passion for cooking, as her many customers will testify. At this time of financial distress, her prices are another major drawcard. On promotion at the moment, a generous week-day meal (different every day) will cost R80 with a free dessert, and
Morongwe (Mary) Lehopa and partners, Angie McCormick and her daughter Yvette. PHOTO: Elaine Davie
a Sunday roast with all the trimmings, R100, also including a free dessert. In addition, Angie’s famous cookies, rusks and biscuits will always be available, and to order, complete cakes. Whatever you choose, you can be sure it will be Just Delicious. For more information or to place an order, Angie can be contacted on 071 197 9692 or angiespuddingandpie@gmail.com.
Handmade goodies galore at The Handmill A few newcomers to The Courtyard off Harbour Road have ensured that this vibrant little hub behind The Wine Glass remains a sought-after destination for browsers and shoppers in Hermanus Old Town. While the Art@Africa Hermanus Gallery and Jewellery Art by Simon are launching this week (in the premises previously occupied by Kunskantoor and Intethe), the quirky little Handmill shop in the opposite corner of The Courtyard has been open for a few weeks already. Owned by Jan and Joan Visser, who recently traded farming in the Sandveld for coastal living in Hermanus, the shop is filled with artisan delights ranging from handmade chocolates, cookies, rusks, nut brittles and nougat to hand-painted and embroidered tea towels, place mats, napkins, wine carriers and wicker baskets. There is also a selection of homemade jams, herbal teas, coffee, olives, olive oils, pestos,
chutneys… all carefully sourced from artisan producers across South Africa. “Many of the products we stock are among our own favourites,” says Joan. With their four children all grown up now, she and Jan decided to sell their potato farm on the West Coast and start a new chapter in Hermanus. “It’s wonderful to be living in a town where we’ve spent memorable holidays,” she says. “We enjoy the beautiful environment, the climate, the atmosphere,” adds Jan. Foodies will have a great time in this friendly little shop, whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for that special gift, and you’ll be sorely tempted to grab a cup of heavenly coffee and a freshly baked sweet treat while you’re there. The Handmill is open on Mondays from 13:00 – 17:00 and from Tuesday to Saturday from 09:00 – 17:00 (closed on Sundays). For enquiries, call 083 302 5364. – Hedda Mittner
Former farmers from the Sandveld, Joan and Jan Visser offer true country hospitality and select artisan products from around the country at their new shop, The Handmill in The Courtyard off Harbour Road. PHOTO: Hedda Mittner
