Introducing Tatum McCraw - Class of 2020
“With the whole world united in its concern over Covid-19 and no one having a full understanding of the virus we, at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine, are complying with regulations.”
All students in the in-service practical module of our course have been sent home to their families to self-isolate. The first-year students have also been sent home, but we continue with full-day theory lessons and are impressing ourselves with how much work we are covering. Everyone is cooperating via WhatsApp videos, texts and voice notes. We, as a team, signed a commitment to study at home so that we all progress at the same rate. And it’s working… I’m aware that the proof of this exercise will be established when then students return - and when they do, it will be to the practical component of the course. I know they look forward to this.
None of the first-year students are shirking - the other day classes went on until nearly 6pm. We will continue to try our best. On a personal note I am using this time to get done all the things I never have time for - those things that always hang over my head. Besides the smaller tasks, I have set myself one major assignment per day and I’m amazed at what I can achieve with no interruptions. It is, however, very quiet without the students…
On my social-media pages, I have been overwhelmed with requests for my recipes, and I’m struggling to keep up. It’s heart-warming to know how many people are spending this time in the kitchen. I would like to take this opportunity to thank The Witness for accepting my proposal to write a monthly piece – that was about 12 years ago. It’s sobering to realise that I have been writing for The Witness for more years than I was head chef at Hartford House, in Mooi River.
Through the sharing of my recipes on social media, I’ve noticed most requests have been geared toward baking, so this is an ideal opportunity to introduce you to Tatum McCraw, a first-year student, who enjoys baking. Tatum came to Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in 2015 (she was 14 years old) after reading about us in one of the first six-page magazine articles about the school. From that day her sights were set on the culinary industry and she kept in contact with us, year after year. She is a tiny little person but – as the adage goes – dynamite comes in small packages…
“I found this recipe about five years ago,” explains Tatum, “I can’t remember where it came from but, every time I made it, I would tweak it until I found the exact quantities and ingredients that I was happy with.”
The recipe is special to Tatum because it delivered the first cookies that her family ‘passed’. They agreed she’d finally hit the jackpot. She then ‘experimented’ on her friends and they too enthused. Instead of conventional gifts they all requested a batch of cookies for their birthdays and, for almost four years, that’s what they got. When in Grade 10, Tatum’s group made the cookies for Entrepreneurship Week and thereafter orders, from teachers and learners, kept rolling in. “The cookies became my ‘claim to fame’ and it was always such a great feeling when people ordered them from me, time after time,” shares Tatum, with youthful enthusiasm. “This recipe has such a special place in my heart, I really enjoy baking the cookies and I hope that they bring the same pleasure to those who try my recipe.”
Tatum is back home in Joburg, She regrets not being able to make the cookies for you but she is kindly sharing the recipe. Encourage partners and children to join you in the kitchen – they won’t regret it. These cookies are yummy – especially warm from the oven. And remember those sneaked off the tray always taste better…
Keep safe and please educate those around you. I keep my team updated on the latest news. Remember how load-shedding was once a thing! Be kind - we can only get through this together. Visit www.jackiecameron.co.za to find out more about my Women’s and Men’s Chef Clothing Range. Remember Jackie Cameron Cooks at Home and Baking with Jackie Cameron – the books highlight all my foodie adventures. I always look forward to hearing from you so please communicate via email: jackie@jackiecameron.co.za.
Jackie Cameron - owner of Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KZN - for enquires email admin@jackiecameron.co.za.
Find me on Facebook – Jackie Cameron Cooks at Home, Twitter - @jackie_cameron and Instagram: jackiecameronincolour
Food assistant and recipe developer: Tatum McCraw
All photos by Kathy Pitout Photography