November 20, 2019

Food with a view

Food with a view: our top 10 foodie hideaways

When we think about all of the lovely luscious things we’ll be doing on that eagerly anticipated long weekend away, it’s the cooking and the consuming that always reigns supreme and takes the cake on the activity list. It doesn’t matter if you’re into all things culinary or not, the undisputed heart of the home – the kitchen and its table – is where the magic happens and everlasting memories are created. It’s the engine room of the evening’s party and the slow morning’s catch-up. It’s the central hub that rules the roost and gathers all of our favourite people together throughout the day for some cooking, eating, sipping, sampling and, quite simply, enjoying each others’ company. The kitchen is usually regarded as the single most vital room in a house, and it says a lot about who we are.

That’s why it’s so wonderful to whisk one’s self away for a weekend and throw caution from creativity in someone else’s apron. From planning the meals to devouring them, it all becomes a divine delectable affair in an entirely new and exciting space, but with the same old lovable faces.

Some kitchens might be minimalist with precision-engineered, utilitarian spaces. Some might be classically catering to the home sweet home mantra from its country-kitchen tops. Some might be modern where the cook becomes a scientist and the hob becomes a lab. Some simply take us outside, embracing the forces of nature and sensuous open spaces. While others keep us cosy in hidden dining nooks with comfy benches and banquettes. It doesn’t really matter what cutting edge appliances are on the shelves, or French pots hanging from the pot rack. It’s all about what’s on the menu, and the love and banter going on around that surreptitiously season the meals.

We’ve dished up some our favourite kitchens that lend their beautiful, functional and fully-equipped cooking spaces for a foodie’s fling of family feasts and frolics. It’s now down to deciding who’s Sous in the zoo. We all know who’s Chef.

Here are our fabulous hideaways with some fancy pots and pans, and a view to go with it…

BoPlaas

For those idyllic escapes into the beautiful countryside, life on this farm hideaway tantalises the tastebuds on every sensory level. Chickens roam the gardens, laying eggs amongst the pansies and the peonies. The classical, country kitchen is adorned with antique furnishings, crockery, hand-painted wall tiles by Michael Chandler and a Lacanche stove. Its dreamy, shady verandah is the perfect spot to spend long evenings and lazy afternoons.

Dune House

With the kitchen being the pivotal point of this Plettenberg Bay hideaway – that’s all about family entertainment, open spaces and magnificent, vast views of the lagoon – it’s clear all of the fun happens in the hub of the home and flows out onto the deck, around the mammoth dining tables and onto the plates.

Stone House

This breathtakingly bold and beautiful stone hideaway in Hermanus offers ample space to cook and dine outside or inside, around the boma, in the colossal open plan kitchen, over the braai, on the deck and in the courtyard, under the stars. The flow of the open spaces allows the chatter and laughter to permeate wherever one might be hanging out.

Synergy Tree House

Tucked away amongst the branches of the gnarled trees, overlooking Scarborough’s magnificently long stretch of beach, this hideaway’s fully-equipped Smeg applianced kitchen sits centre stage and opens out onto the deck where endless evenings are spent at the table savouring the food, the company and the endless view.

The Blue Anchor

What a wonderful way to watch the Southern Right whales of Hermanus breaching and spouting in the bay beneath the kitchen counter of this idyllic seaside hideaway! The spaces are cleverly designed to keep the view of the ocean in frame from every angle, whilst preparing and enjoying a feast from any of the many dining spaces.

Bobbejaanskloof

Hidden amongst the foothills of the Tsitsikamma Mountains, this magnificent hideaway, holds its farmhouse kitchen in the heart of the home, around the fireplace where all gather at the long antique table and sunken wicker chairs. The pièce de résistance of the property is positioned outside, at the hefty long dining table and adjacent braai, that looks out to the dramatic private wilderness.

Jonkmanshof

The kitchen at Jonkmanshof is inevitably fabulous – being co-owned, as it is, by Jacques Erasmus of Hemelhuijs fame. There are two houses, each has two suites which can be booked separately or one can take a whole house. There are various options for dinner – guests can take full advantage of the gorgeous kitchen and self-cater, they can pre-arrange a three-course meal, or, with a little more notice, they can have Jacques himself come to cook for them – pure indulgence!