SA Cheese Festival 2009!!!

I was fortunate to receive 2 complimentary tickets to the annual SA Cheese Festival , compliments of Jenny Morris(thanks Jenny!!!). The drive out to Franschhoek was a treat because it surely is one of the most beautiful parts of South Africa, but then you arrive on the farm, Bien Donne, where the festival is held and you immediately feel the buzz and excitement! The queue to get in was loooong and my children and husband were thrilled to walk past the queue and to be escorted in like royalty!
So first up was a cooking demonstration with the hilarious and talented Nataniel! He showed of a few recipes using various kinds of cheese. My favorite was the pear and walnut cakes with cambert in the middle! I will try these soon!!!

Shortly after that, I finally got to meet the lady herself, Jenny Morris! For those of you who do not know her, she is one of SA"most-loved" food personalities and a joy to watch!!! She prepared 7 mouth-watering dishes in only 45 minutes and that included a lamb roast!! I have learned a lot from her and left there with many great ideas!! I've learned that a few expensive items like a good rump, a leg of lamb or big round of Camembert can feed a crowd if bulked up with cheaper herbs, salads and legumes!!!! I cannot wait for my next function!!!!!

Jenny called for my husband to come and help her and I think he was such a pro(must be my training, he-he!!!) carving that delicious rump. He says, it was the most amazing piece of meat he has ever tasted(the rump that is!!!!). He was rewarded for his work with a lovely cheese hamper that I can hopefully use in my next few recipes!!!!

We then started sampling cheeses at the different stalls and I was so impressed with my children knowing such a lot about the various cheeses and also their willingness to try new ones!
The atmosphere on the farm is unbelievable with friends and families sharing their cheeses, breads and wine that they have bought from the different stalls, whilst being entertained by various bands performing in the gazebo!!!
It was a most enjoyable day and we left with hearts filled with gratitude for the beautiful places and people of this country!!!


Thanks again Jenny, you made it all possible!!!