Constantia Vineyards
2008 Vin de Constance with Michel Roux Jr
October 2008
This is a book about the marriage of food and wine; of icons and ideas. A marriage that spans geographical barriers to create sensuous pleasure, seasoned with history.
The inspiration came from the vineyards of Klein Constantia in the Western Cape, where the legendary Constantia sweet wine, sought-after by kings and emperors in the early 18th and 19th centuries, was revived in1986 by the Jooste family, who had been in the wine trade for three generations, and the Klein Constantia team.
The idea was realised by Michel Roux Jr of London’s Le Gavroche restaurant, named as one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organised by Restaurant magazine in London. A wine lover, he believes that when wine is good, it can be enjoyed on its own, but to make the experience “whole”, a little accompaniment is better.
Vin de Constance with Michel Roux Jr invites you into the kitchen. There are no grandiose flourishes or intimidating plating. Just original, seasonal and delicious recipes, easy to follow and offering handy tips to prevent pitfalls. Wrapped in mouthwatering photographs by London-based Tara Fisher to stimulate your cooking skills.
HOW THE BOOK EVOLVED
The idea of London input was mooted by Albert Roux (Michel Jr‘s father, and founder of Le Gavroche with his brother Michel) at a lunch at Klein Constantia with Lowell Jooste and winemaker Adam Mason. Conversation revolved round matching food and wine, and Albert suggested they discuss “a booklet” on the subject with his son, now running the award-winning Le Gavroche. Approaching Michel Roux Jr. in London, Lowell met with an enthusiastic response. He returned home to find players to help realise the project.
THE TEAM
AUTHOR: Michel Roux Jr. has run Le Gavroche restaurant in London since 1994. Classically trained in France, his ability to assimilate influences has guaranteed the restaurant’s contemporary appeal, and its continued excellence is shown by its inclusion in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organised by Restaurant magazine in London every year from 2004 to 2008. Michel is the author of four best-selling cookbooks, Le Gavroche Cookbook, Marathon Chef (he is an avid runner and veteran of 16 marathons), Matching Food & Wine and Born in the Kitchen.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Jos Baker is a Cape-based journalist and consultant specialising in food and wine. She is an associate editor of the annual Platter’s South African Wines, the leading guide to local cellars, vineyards, winemakers, restaurants and accommodation, and a member of the Southern African selection panel for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
FOOD PHOTOGRAPHER: Tara Fisher, a UK based food/travel/lifestyle photographer works regularly for design and advertising agencies and top magazines. This is her 12th cookbook and her third with Michel Roux Jr.
DESIGNER: Petal Palmer’s Cape Town design agency, Petal Design, specialises in print media and has produced a string of award-winning publications across food, lifestyle, decor and design genres.
PUBLISHER: Lannice Snyman, author of 16 books, culinary consultant, and award-winning book publisher. She is a consultant for the American Express Platinum Fine Dining Programme and Regional Chairman for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organized by Restaurant magazine in London. For this she travels to global culinary hot spots to check out high-end eateries as well as to track international culinary and publishing trends. Her niche, family-run company, Lannice Snyman Publishers, specialises in cookery books and contract publishing. Each book has an inimitable stamp of distinction that makes them stand out on the bookshelves and make their presence felt in a vibrant cookbook market.
Vin de Constance with Michel Roux Jr is available from Klein Constantia wine tasting centre in Constantia, selected bookstores and specialist wine outlets, and Le Gavroche Restaurant in London. Retail price R192.50.
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