Heather-Lee Holliday's Family Favourite
“From all reports, the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine #20172018 students are doing us proud in the industry. And, I can confirm that the #20182019 intake is getting stuck into the course material with great enthusiasm. We are all learning and growing.”
As mentioned previously, over the next few months I shall introduce you to the school’s current students. Each will share a family favourite recipe. We’d be grateful if you’d try these dishes and e-mail your comments to the school. Previous students found feedback from readers to be very beneficial.
Heather-Lee Holliday, one of the boarders on the property, completed her schooling last year. Although from an English-speaking family she happily attended an Afrikaans school which means she is totally bilingual. The privilege of on-site accommodation means the school can accept aspirant chefs from all corners of the country and from across borders too.
Heather-Lee was born in the Richards Bay area and spent most of her years in Standerton, which falls in Mpumalanga. She is fortunate to have family in KwaZulu-Natal, so time away from school is spent with her aunt in Pietermaritzburg and her grandparents, who live in Howick and Mooi River, respectively. She told me that some her fondest memories are those with her cousins on their farms in Weenen and in the Pongola district.
A strong family support group led Heather-Lee to share her very delectable vinegar dessert. It is her grandmother’s recipe that has “always been a winner”. She tells of the amusing sibling rivalry that breaks out — between her dad, her aunt and her uncle - over the leftovers for breakfast. Ingredients are easy to find; most of us have them in the pantry cupboard. This cheerful dish has a true South African sweetness to it. Try it and you’ll know the reason it’s a family favourite.
Heather-Lee made the pudding for this article and - after reviewing the process, experiencing recipe writing, as well as styling and organising for the photoshoot - some of the students reported not having tasted her contribution to you, the reader. There was an outcry because those who had sampled the dish were raving about it so, to avoid a revolution, Heather-Lee agreed to make it for the school’s next family meal.
Veterinary surgery was on Heather-Lee’s list of possible careers but, after choosing hospitality studies as a school subject, she started creating desserts. Experimentation led to her satisfying a very dominant sweet tooth. I’m pleased to report that Heather-Lee has stepped out of her sweet, comfort zone. “It’s amazing how much I’ve learnt in only a few months,” she said with a confident smile. Those are words every teacher likes to hear.
Here’s to each of the students reaching greater heights than they ever thought possible.
Explore my website to find out more about my women's chef range - men's to come shortly; remember Baking with Jackie Cameron, Jackie Cameron Cooks At Home, highlight all my foodie adventures. I always look forward to hearing from you so please communicate via email to: jackie@jackiecameron.co.za. Jackie Cameron owner of Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KZN - email for enquires at admin@jackiecameron.co.za
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Food assistant and recipe developer:
Heather-Lee Holliday
All Photos taken by:
Karen E Photography
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www.karene.me
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