4 minute read
“Simplicity can result in the sublime.”
Enjoy the finer things Cape Town has to offer
Nearing the end of bright and sun-filled summer days in Cape Town doesn’t mean that the fun is over. Each season in South Africa and Cape Town, particularly, is filled with fun activities that one can indulge in whether solo or with friends, family and furry friends.
For the true lovers of finer things in life, being in the Western Cape in the month of March means abundant fun and endless activities that one can participate in as we slowly bid farewell to the beautiful warm days of summer, heading to the time of hot chocolate mornings, crisp air and, of course, shorter days and longer nights.
For the entire month of March, bon vivants in the Mother City will indulge in the amazing work of Chef Phil Carmichael. This as the talented Chef presents the first series of dinners, every Friday night at the Spier Wine Farm. Chef Phil will be serving up five-course feasts artfully paired with Spier’s flagship wines – “representing the very pinnacle of the artistry and craft of Spier’s winemaking,” according to Spier.
Carmichael served as the EDITION Hotel London Executive Chef from 2013 to 2021 and has extensive experience working in Michelin-starred kitchens. As executive chef of MAZE Prague, he garnered a Michelin star within the first year of the restaurant’s opening.
The excellent chef has now settled on South African shores and is a permanent resident in the country. This food and wine experience partnership couldn’t have come at a better time as the venue for this series of experiences is the newly revamped Spier Manor House.
Situated at the very heart of Spier Wine Farm, the Manor House has been finely restored to host small, intimate food and wine experiences. Spier’s family owner, Mariota Enthoven says this historic House will be a space in which conversations around food security and sustainability can take centre stage. “We’re serving up a unique sense of place, using each meal we make as an opportunity to tell stories about the food revolution Spier is proud to be a part of; stories about our regenerative farming, organically grown food garden, organic vineyards and carefully crafted wines.”
Mariota adds that Chef Phil is a natural choice to lead the food offering in this reinvigorated space.
“He really connected with our regenerative approach to farming on this land. He’s super excited about getting back to the basics – cooking with ingredients that are farmed with care, and in good soil. This makes him completely aligned with Spier’s food philosophy,”she says.
The Chef will be using ingredients sourced from Spier’s pastures and gardens.
Phil explains: “In my kitchen, there are no gimmicks or fussiness: we let exceptional ingredients speak for themselves through minimal intervention and simple, timeless cooking techniques. We use flame, smoke and embers to cook dishes. More than just a technique, fire is a key ingredient.” In his own words, the culinary artist promises foodies the following:
The perfect match: “Your five courses consisting of delicious canapés served in the drawing room, two starters, a main and a decadent dessert will be deftly paired with our Creative Block Wines.”
From the open hearth: “Forget foams or fussiness – simplicity can result in the sublime. We use flame, smoke and embers to cook dishes; more than just a technique, fire is a key ingredient.”
Terroir in every bite: “The dishes I’m serving tell the story of Spier. From meat to vegetables, we use the very best ingredients from the pastures and gardens here. Every part of the animal is utilised; this both reduces waste and results in a broad and exciting spectrum of flavour and texture.”
EXPERiEnCE DETaiLS:
When: Every Friday from 3 March 2023 - 31 March 2023
Time: 06:00 pm - 09:00 pm
Place: The Manor House, Spier Wine Farm
Cost: R1 350 Per Person (includes wine pairing and gratuity)
