Nico Verster has spent the past decade as a professional chef in some of the most breathtakingly beautiful locations South Africa has to offer. Three of these are at the heart of Savannah to Sea, viz. Jamala Madikwe, a safari lodge in North West Province, andBeyond’s Phinda forest and vlei lodges in KwaZulu-Natal, and Birkenhead House boutique hotel in Hermanus in the Cape. The book is divided into four sections that encompass starters and snacks (Leadwood and aloes); main courses with white and red meat, fish and seafood, and game (Springbok and coral); baked delights (Monkey orange and baguette); and desserts and sweet treats (Marula and acacias). All the recipes feature Nico’s culinary signature of elegance combined with pan-African cuisine ‘twists’, whether in the ingredients or the techniques, and range from classic favourites to the ultra trendy. Adding to the authenticity of the African experience, as well as the charm of Savannah to Sea, Nico has included some often-humorous tales from his time in these varying and challenging environments. And because he is so utterly passionate about his subject, he took the food and wildlife photographs himself.
