On 24 September, South Africans will be celebrating Heritage Day, a public holiday that pays homage to Mzansi’s multicultural history and identity. While most of us might be unsure of what we’re doing on that exact date, there are some of us who have planned ahead and devoted the entire month of September to celebrating South Africa’s rich diversity.
The Red Carnation Hotel Collection’s properties in the Western Cape, namely The Twelve Apostles near Hout Bay and Bushmans Kloof in the Cederberg Mountains are both chipping in to make Heritage Month particularly festive. They will be offering up one of the most noteworthy and sensually appealing symbols of a nation’s cultural identity: food. Both will serve its own version of a ‘proudly South African’ dish.
Here is what you can look forward to at the Cape hotels:
Vetkoek and Curried Saldanha Bay Mussels at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa (R215)
One would expect a hotel by the ocean to serve up seafood. Executive chef Christo Pretorius will be cooking up Cape Malay-style mussels with Malay-spiced mussels velouté, yoghurt curd, hydrated sultanas and mini fennel vetkoek.
OF NOTE
WHERE Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Victoria Road, Camps
CONTACT +27 21 437 9000, [email protected], www.12apostleshotel.com
Louis Leipoldt Traditional South African Bobotie at Bushmans Kloof (price included in stay)
Moving further inland, we come to executive chef Ryan Weakley’s serving of a South African favourite, which consists of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping. His particular dish is named after South African poet and cookbook writer C Louis Leipoldt, who considered Cederberg his spiritual home, and who discusses the origins of bobotie in his book Cape Cookery.
OF NOTE
WHERE Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat, Blue Mountain Close, Clanwilliam
CONTACT +27 21 437 9278, [email protected], www.bushmanskloof.co.za
Photography courtesy Red Carnation Hotels and Five Star PR