Food heroes inspiring communities

Caviar from France, pasta from Italy, chow mein from China…you know how it goes. Eating ‘around the world’ is a treat; our eyebrows always shoot up when we hear that something on our plates has been imported from an exotic location. But locals are starting to stand up and dance their way onto our palettes – venison, strawberries, ham and cheese all produced and crafted right here in KwaZulu-Natal; who’d have thought? The KZN Food Heroes dinner, hosted annually at The Oyster Box, gives these local entrepreneurs a chance to let their products shine.

In the words of The Oyster Box’s executive chef, Kevin Joseph, KwaZulu-Natal is a treasure chest of amazing
produce. “Sourcing fresh produce locally in an ethical way, for use in our kitchens, is ‘first prize’ for the chefs at
The Oyster Box. The closer to home the food is produced, the fresher it is, the less packaging is involved, the more sustainable it is for the producer…and the better it is for our guests. A win-win all-round,” said Kevin.
It was this idea that inspired Food Heroes, a grand dinner during which artisanal food was saluted. The dinner was unique in that those who attended not only got to taste the amazing local fare, but meet the farmers and producers, hear their stories and walk the Food Heroes journey. Kevin said the idea piqued him during his travels abroad:
“One thing that stuck out for me was that, at every place I ate, the food ingredients were traceable. At the Oyster Box, we wanted to afford our suppliers the platform to showcase their products to a wider audience and in so doing create sustainability for them.” Kevin tells us they found there was an amazing variety of produce being grown and produced locally, of superior quality. “We liked the idea that our ingredients were grown locally. As a tourist you travel to experience the local cuisine; that’s what we are trying to achieve. At the same time we are going green and supporting our local industries.”

In choosing the list of suppliers for the night, Kevin and Oyster Box general manager Wayne Coetzer drove around, stopping at places they found to be diverse and interesting. Not only that, says Kevin, but also looking for ingredients they could use. “This resulted in us finding the suppliers that we needed; it was also based on the requirements for a five course menu.” Kevin said acknowledging local cuisine is one of the best things an established business can
do. “When we promote local suppliers we are helping promote growth, creating jobs and sustaining the environment. That’s the message we hope to bring across through KZN Food Heroes. There are people out there who are using their ability to create sustainability within the food industry. We need to support and praise them. With every business we change, a community is inspired.”

Charcuterie from Midlands Speciality Products
This family-owned business is based in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, the Midlands. They specialise in a proudly
handcrafted range of delicious Italian and German dry-cured hams, and sausages using authentic family recipes.
Their products include pancetta, bokwurst, coppa ham, beef and pork bressoala and genoa salami. None of
their products are chemically smoked, giving you a fresh, uncomplicated taste sensation.

Venison from Zulu Waters Game Reserve
This 7000 acre private African retreat is set in the Drakensberg Mountain Range and offers a unique experience of Africa, and the beauty of its wildlife. Herds of wildebeest, buffalo and the elusive antelope are familiar at the reserve.
The Bushman’s River completes the serene beauty of the paradise. Hot air ballooning, horse riding and a tour of the
caves are just the tip of the iceberg.

Fresh Strawberries from Cappeny Estate Strawberry Farm
Nestled in the sugarcane fields just outside Ballito is Cappeny Estates, where strawberries of the highest quality are
grown using hydroponic production methods. Succulent fruit is harvested throughout the year and the public can
buy from the farm, at wholesale prices. A pick-your-own strawberry facility should be open later this year!

Cheeses from The Gourmet Greek
Another family business, founded in 2012 and based in the Midlands on a small estate. They handcraft a unique
range of gourmet cheeses and double thick, traditionally strained Greek yoghurt. Jersey cow’s milk, sourced
from a neighbouring farm, gives the cheese and yoghurt a creamy, authentic taste. The cheeses are pasteurised and
handmade to the highest standards.

Flowers from LIV Childrens’ Village
LIV Village is based in Verulam and provides a sense of family and community to those who need it. Six hundred children are housed in 96 homes in the village. LIV Flowers has been going for 17 years on a three hectare plot, growing to one of the largest cut flower producers in the country. LIV Flowers specialises in hydroponically grown anthurium, gerbera and ruscus.

Beer from the Nottingham Road Brewing Company
Affectionately known as ‘Notts Brewery’, this unique establishment is found on the stately grounds of Rawdons Hotel
in the Midlands. The independent brewery’s naturally brewed ales and lagers are legendary among locals and
tourists. The purest spring water, drawn from an artisan well on the grounds, is blended with the finest quality hops
and malted barley to create outstanding beers with undeniable character.

Fresh Herbs from Peter’s Herbs
Also in the Midlands, Peter’s Gate Herb Farm has been around since 1997, named for the beautiful view over the Caversham Valley – a ‘glimpse over heaven’. It is a family-owned business with a love for natural, organic goodness; this love goes into every one of their wide range of herb plants, which each guest got to take home.