South African cooking in Cape Town with a Cape Malay influence

Meet Lorette

Lorette’s passion for cooking started at the age of eight when she baked her very first batch of cupcakes. Her love for cooking has only grown from there. Her inspiration for cooking traditional food comes from her mother, who taught Lorette how to cook most of their family recipes. Join Lorette, a catering professional with a deep passion for cooking, to learn to cook an authentic South African meal. <br><br>“Having people over to enjoy a home cooked meal is something I love doing. I am very excited to share my South African food and culture with the rest of the world!”

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal (1 - 20 guests) Be welcomed into Lorette and Desmond’s beautiful home, built by Lorette's father 44 years ago and lovingly renovated after Lorette bought the house from her parents when she married. Lorette's mom and dad (Rachel and Kenneth) live on the property together with Lorette and Desmond and might stop in to say hello during your experience. Lorette loves cooking traditional South African food, and she particularly loves showcasing the cuisine of the Western Cape which has a Cape Malay influence. The dining area is beautifully situated adjacent to the kitchen and opens up onto the garden and patio area in the summer. Your menu might include dishes such as mini roti's with chicken curry (the Cape Malay roti is a delicious unleavened flatbread served with chicken curry), bobotie (a South African dish of curried minced meat baked with a savory custard and served with aromatic rice and roasted vegetables) and malva pudding (a traditional South African dessert served with custard or cream).

Cooking experience (1 - 20 guests) Join Lorette in her spacious, modern kitchen to learn to make a traditional South African meal in this Cape Town cooking class. Lorette is a keen gardener and loves using fresh herbs from her garden, so you might start the experience collecting a few items from the garden to cook with. The cooking class will last between 1-2 hours during which you will learn to make 2-3 South African dishes. Then sit down with Lorette and Desmond at their dining table to enjoy conversation and the delicious food you helped prepare.ng class.

PERSONALLY VETTED REVIEW

A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.

Lorette and her husband, Desmond, are born to entertain and make guests feel incredibly welcome. Sit down at Lorette's kitchen counter with a glass of wine, as if you are visiting a loved family member. She is dynamite in a small package and it's very inspiring watching her cook, as well as sharing all her hints and tips with you as you go along. She's also happy to share recipes should you want to take a little bit of Cape Town home with you. Marmalade the cat might pop in when he starts smelling her chicken curry, but he really doesn't bother anyone. The neighbourhood is quiet and gives you a chance to escape from reality for a bit. Lorette has a very interesting past, including having worked as a wedding caterer and has just registered her own company. Also, a keen baker, there is really not much you can tell this lady about food! An absolute feast for the heart and soul! Very tasty dishes, generous portions, prepared in a health-conscious way, very wholesome meals. Everything was really good! It was lovely sitting down with her and her husband for lunch, as it was an incredibly relaxing environment and they are very generous and hospitable without even trying!

Amilinda and Tim, Traveling Spoon Ambassador

Traveler reviews