2 Big Foodie Events For The Oyster Box

OYSTER BOX Hosts Two Big Foodie Events In November

November at The Oyster Box promises to be a ‘foodie frenzy’ for lovers of fine food and wine, when it hosts two top quality guest Chefs from the Cape.  First off Christo Pretorious, Executive Chef at sister hotel, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town, is the guest chef in the Grill Room on 5 November and well-known Chef and author of numerous cookbooks, Marlene van der Westhuizen, will launch her new book, Secrets of a French Cooking Class, with a celebratory dinner in The Pearl Room on 25 November 2014.

Christo’s five-course food and wine paired evening will showcase Cape Malay spices and flavours, using KZN’s local ingredients.  On the Menu, chilled garden pea and mint Soup;  Prawn Dhal creamed cauliflower, cumin yoghurt, pineapple chutney, hydrated sultanas and verjuice and Barn Raised Quail confit leg lollipop, mushroom agnolotti, shallot puree and hazelnuts with coffee sauce.  For mains, Graaf Reinet Blesbok pearl barley, celery root, apple, shimeji mushrooms, cashew nut cream and juniper berry jus; to end Roast Peach  panna cotta, madagascan vanilla, coconut sponge, sour cream and caramelized white chocolate.  The five-course menu is R550 per person.

Marlene van der Westhuizen, divides her time between her home in Greenpoint in Cape Town and Charroux in France where she runs popular cooking classes.  With other popular titles behind her name - Abundance, Delectable and Sumptuous being the best known, her new book takes the reader-cook behind the scenes, for the inner workings of her 50^th cooking class in France.

This is Marlene’s first culinary visit to KZN and diners will get the chance to savour a

five-course menu of dishes from the new book, prepared by Oyster Box Executive Chef, Kevin Joseph and his Team, under Marlene’s watchful eye. The French-inspired menu includes her popular Gruyere & Onion Tart, Roast Beef Fillet with Potato Dauphinoise, haricot vet and creamed leeks and for dessert, Apricot & Almond Gratin.   The cost of the dinner is R 490 per person.  Marlene will introduce her menu and offer commentary throughout the evening about her experiences and food philosophy, as well as sign copies of her new book, which will be available to diners at a special price.

To book or for further information on any of the events at The Oyster Box contact (031) 514 5000 or restaurants@oysterbox.co.za


Gig Guide - Durban 

Critically Acclaimed guitar virtuoso Gary Thomas returns to Durban for
one show only. Having just completed a 6 show run at the Cape Town
Fringe Festival, he is on a short tour of Durban, Pretoria and
Johannesburg.

GARY THOMAS LIVE AT ST CLEMENTS

St Clements Restaurant
191 Musgrave Road, Durban
Fri 24th October
8pm
Door R60
Albums on sale R100 CDs or R200 for all 4 albums Digital Download
Call 031 202 2511 for bookings or email foodsmart@durbs.com


This edition by +Fred Felton

Your Handy Calendar of Events for Pop-Up's and Entertainment Galore at The Oyster Box

POP-UP’s & ENTERTAINMENT GALORE AT THE OYSTER BOX

The Oyster Box’s latest Calendar of Events is a cornucopia of live entertainment, food and wine happenings and special celebratory events.  From May to August, Durban’s leading five-star hotel is where it’s all happening!

A series of Pop-up Events will be held in the Hotel Lobby over the next few months. 

·         On 9 May, join Grill Room Maître‘d, Hendry Pakiri as he demonstrates his skill as a master Crepe maker, when he presents a Pop-up Pancake making session. 

·         Pick up a few new garnishing tips and tricks from the hotel’s Head Chef, Luke Nair, with a Pop-up Garnish on Friday 27 June.

·         Be part of the behind-the scenes action, on Wednesday 9 July, with Executive Sous Pastry Chef Joanita Venter as  she prepares  items for the High Tea table at a Pop-up Pastry demonstration.

·         The Oyster Box is renowned for its extensive cocktail menu and its award-winning barmen.  Join our talented team of mixologists at a Pop-up Cocktail demo on Friday 29 August.

All Pop-up Events are open to the public and take place in the Hotel Lobby from 14:00-17:00. 

On Mother’s Day, Sunday 11 May, our traditional High Tea in the Palm Court, will  be vintage themed.  Enjoy the decadent spread, a gift with our compliments and our resident pianist tinkling the ivories.  

Also in May, from Monday to Thursday, book traditional High Tea for four people and only pay for three.  Bring along your friends to share the occasion.

Following a successful dinner theatre appearance in December, Cat Simoni returns to The Oyster Box on 29 May, with a tribute to Barbra Streisand.  Cat has performed at almost every one of London's five‐star hotels and her extensive repertoire extends from the great West End and Broadway shows, to the works of the great songwriters Porter, Rogers, Gershwin and Kern and  Pop megahits from the 50’s to the present time. The evening includes a three-course plated menu and the show at R350 per person.

                                                                                                                       

Dad’s rule at The Oyster Box on Father’s Day Sunday 15 June! So make it a family affair and extra special for all the men in our lives, with an outing to the Ocean Terrace Restaurant for a delicious three-course lunch at R490 per person, including a plated starter and dessert and a buffet main course.

Durban’s Bunny Chow has put KwaZulu-Natal on the culinary map and is a favourite with locals and visitors alike. In June the Ocean Terrace Restaurant will be offering a selection of three ‘Bunny’s’ to tantalise your taste buds.

Don’t miss the opportunity to sample a selection of Bouchard Finlayson wines with Oyster Box Sommelier, Juliet Urquhart on Saturday 21 June.  The Mini Wine Tutorial and Tasting will take place in the hotel lobby from 18:00 -19:00.

Legendary South African comedian and high profile corporate speaker, Kevin Perkins, headlines the first Curry & Comedy event for 2014. With his infectious passion for life, Kevin has wowed audiences around the world for 13 years. Adaptable comedic form, razor sharp wit and astute observation have made him a crowd favourite with young and old alike.

The evening includes a starter platter of Indian snacks, the incredible Curry Buffet, Bea’s Cheesecake and the show.  Cost is R350 per person.

One of the most exciting events taking place at The Oyster Box in July is our KwaZulu-Natal Food Heroes Dinner in the Pearl Room on Wednesday 23 July.  KwaZulu-Natal is a treasure chest of amazing produce.  Join our culinary team for a journey of discovery of the province’s best ingredients and produce. Cost is R475 per person.

The Women’s Day High Tea on Saturday 9 August, takes on a French twist, with An Afternoon In Paris.  Sit back and enjoy the legendary High Tea, as models glide through the tables dressed by top Durban designers.  Cost is R250 per person.

Sommelier, Juliet Urquhart hosts a Winter Food and Wine Pairing Dinner in The Grill Room on Thursday 21 August. The three-course dinner will be paired with a selection of wines from one of South Africa’s top wine estates.  Cost is R450 per person.

For more information about any of the events and activities at The Oyster Box

Contact the following:

-          Restaurant and High Tea reservations

Tel: +27 (0) 31 514 5018 • Email: restaurants@oysterbox.co.za

-          Spa reservations

Tel: +27 (0) 31 514 5072 • Email: spa@oysterbox.co.za

-          Accommodation reservations

Tel: +27 (0) 31 514 5000 • Email: info@oysterbox.co.za

The Red Carnation Hotels Collection                                         www.redcarnationhotels.com

The Oyster Box - is one of Africa’s most distinguished hotels.  With an abundance of colonial charm, it stands majestically on Umhlanga’s prestigious beachfront, with lush landscaped gardens and direct beach access. The hotel is conveniently situated in relation to the Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg Mountains, as well as game parks and historic battlefields.