THE FOOD DESIGN AGENCY
DINNERS, DINE-INS AND DRIVES
Leandi Archer of The Food Design Agency explores the new phenomenon of dark kitchens that have popped up almost overnight.
T
he sad truth is that businesses, large and small, across the country have had to close their doors and restaurants are certainly no exception. With the delayed reopening of in-house dining and the ban on alcohol which has only recently been lifted, chefs certainly had to become innovative in order to keep the literal and metaphorical pot boiling. To paraphrase H.G. Wells it simply is a case of ‘adapt or perish’. The silver lining is, is that there is no lack of creativity in the restaurant industry and chefs and restauranteurs are responding with new vigour!
FINE DINING FINESSE
First and foremost, home meal deliveries are taking over. With the increase in logistics available and continuing consumer interest in staying safe and tucked away at home, innovative chefs have developed their recipes and altered their menus to make them suitable for delivery at home. Forti’s Bar and Grill in Pretoria provides various lockdown menus that provide all the comforts of an Italian home such as a decadent seafood platter or even a tapas plate to share. La Colombe’s at home dine-in experience includes the delivery of fine-dining items such as Tuna Umami Broth and Rhubarb Brioche and even a
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Malone’s in Fourways, for example, is not only circumventing social distancing by delivering food car-window side but have added to the dining experience by providing a true roadhouse affair. In addition to providing fresh comfort food screenings of movies, sports events and even quiz nights all aim to break the monotony of lockdown rules. For those not interested in fry-ups Goddess Café in Pretoria provides the full coffee shop experience in the comfort of your car complete with extravagant cakes and Spanish lattes. Simply pull up and enjoy. strawberry and bergamot posset, perfect for a celebration or a lavish night in. Fermier creates luxurious date night boxes – a concept which is sure to be popular when COVID 19 is a distant memory (the perfect date night with none of the hassle – yes please!). Home meal deliveries are thus not only limited to a cheeseburger or a pizza, but chefs have gone above and beyond to provide fine dining within the comfort of your own living room.
RETURN OF THE ROADHOUSE To paraphrase a common saying if the burger can’t go to Jimmy, Jimmy needs to go to the burger. In lieu of being able to seat customers in their restaurants, the once-popular roadhouse has found a revival. To name but two examples Molly
FROZEN FOOD
Frozen food has also found a new life with many chefs tailoring their recipes to be freezer friendly. Gourmet freezer friendly meals such as those created by Confit are no longer bland and boring but appeal to even the most discerned palate. De Grendel Winery delivers family favourites such as oxtail, lamb curry and chicken pie in hot and frozen format, ready for customers to pop into the oven. In Salt River, Table Seven provides fresh and frozen meal delivery services with perfect for the freezer items such as chicken broccoli and leak pie, immune-boosting chicken and vegetable broth and even chocolate fondant.
