I’m not big on liking pages on Facebook as I consider Facebook to be my private space. But given the fact that I have an awesome collection of Le Creuset items and that I am a serious fan of theirs, I have liked their page. When they asked who wanted to attend a Le Creuset Evening At Silwood, my hand went straight up and I was among the lucky group to be chosen.
Dave dropped me off an hour early and I sat outside being kept company by the Silwood Labradors. It was raining and a cup of tea would have gone down a treat but the staff were busy preparing for us. I was really excited to have been selected but my early arrival put a bit of a damper on the start to my evening. The Silwood kitchen was not ready and the staff were shouting at one another. I sat and observed the staff ambling around, smoking, scratching inside their ears while I waited patiently and I regretted not taking my jacket out of the car before Dave left.
All our mise en place was done by the staff for us and all we had to do was the actual cooking! The evening started with a glass of champagne and then Melody, my partner, and I started our pastry. Hers was a perfect circle but mine fitted into the tart tin which is what mattered to me. While we blind baked our pastry shells we moved onto the filling of our apple tart and then the watercress soup. This was accompanied by white wine and good conversation. We then finished off the assembly of the apple tarts so that they could bake and then, red wine in hand we started on the fish. There was much laughter from our side of the kitchen!
We used a cast iron dish I do not have and I am adding it to my birthday wish list. Dave arrived back in time to sample the fish and warm, out of the oven apple pie. Not only did we go home with food, we went home with new friends AND a gift bag from Le Creuset. Thank you Gill for your warm generosity. The evening ended with a few drinks until our chef Gary decided it was time to leave.
While we were cooking I discussed with the owner of Silwood a knife skills course. If you are interested in attending this, let me know and I will forward you the details.
What a fabulous time you had – even though the hour before while you were waiting didn’t sound like too much fun! A Knife Skills course sounds like a brilliant idea – I can see living back at Sundays River is going to have some disadvantages – not being near the big cities for these great courses.
🙂 Mandy
you might end up clocking frequent flyer miles to Cape Town 🙂
Lucky you! I see these events being posted on Facebook, but was never sure how one actually got an invite! Very disappointing to hear about the staff at Silwood – considering they are the top Cordon Bleu school in the country, I really would have expected more! Glad to hear the evening went well though 🙂
I just keep on entering and hope for the best 🙂
I wonder if they do the knife skills course in Joburg, will you ask?
Silwood are in CPT but I have sent an email to Capsicum 🙂
Sounds like a great evening (despite the staff).
I used to say “before I’m 30 I”ll own a diamond”, now I say “before I’m 30 I’ll own a Le Creuset”. haha, not much time left!
I think your sentiment is great! I should have started buying Le Creuset years ago 🙂
I have attended lots of absolutely wonderful classes at Silwood. How can you expect to be entertained and looked after when you arrive AN HOUR before a function is due to start. Silwood is a school, with students and staff that put in a full day. The transformation to the fabulous evening classes will keep every one busy, and i understand that the class was fabulous and well organised. I am very pro Silwood, having attented classes with my husband( great anniversary gift) and seeing my kids enjoying the kids holiday programs all i can add is ARRIVE ON TIME and continue to enjoy the fantastic classes they have to offer!
Hi Faye. I thank you for taking the time out to read this post. I did not expect to be entertained or looked after. I did however, not expect to be left sitting in the rain. Unfortunately for me, I had no choice but to be there an hour early. If the opportunity ever comes my way again, I will most certainly attend another class there.