[Free Stuff by Wilfrid: September 21, 2012]
I was very pleased to accept an invitation from South African Tourism to find out more about how they're promoting the country to overseas visitors, and dip into some cuisine, art, and music.
Over several of Yusef Austin's "Spotted Plum" cocktails -- with fresh, crushed plum -- I learned that about plans to attract visitors to South Africa precisely through culture, including culinary culture. The Amaridian Gallery in SoHo was the right place to hear about it.
(Above photo courtesy Coyne PR)
When not mingling with dignitaries and models in the main floor space, I eased down the side corridors, examining the unusual range of materials in the works displayed. The name of the gallery derives from a Zulu word for ancestral spirits -- "amadlozi" -- and, of course, "meridian."
The food for the event was created by Hugo Uys, former co-owner of the Paris Commune bistro in Greenwich Village, but a South African chef. The passed hors d'oeuvres riffed on South African classics.
I am a sucker for anything resembling a meat pie, so I had a great time with these little pastries, stuffed with jerk beef and potatoes.
This is where Colin Cowie went wrong, of course. A South African party planner and, well, "lifestylist," Colin spoke about the myriad influences on South African cuisine -- indigenous, Dutch, Indian -- but claimed that the British contributed nothing.
Meat pies, is all I have to say to that.
And these were even better. Bobotie is a spiced ground beef dish, usually with some egg involved, and often incorporating fruits. These bobotie tarts were topped with slices of banana, and I ate as many as I could reach.
(Above photo courtesy Coyne PR)
Little pastry cornets were passed too, some containing foie gras mousse, the better ones -- to my taste -- stuffed with goat cheese flavored with caramelised onions, garnished with apple slivers. Shrimp wrapped in lettuce, too; pigs-in-blankets (or sausage rolls, as the British call them); samosas (which I somehow missed).
The Minister for Tourism, Marthinius Van Schalkwyk, thoughtfully chose to make a few comments rather than a speech, while the crowd got deeper into the Spotted Plums. After a dozen meat pies and a some rosy tinctures, it was hard not to feel warm towards South Africa, its energy and diversity -- and they throw a good party too.
Visit the website for more information, or follow on Twitter @GoToSouthAfrica.
Comments