Introducing Keagan Hughes - Class of 2020
“A new year, new beginnings and new students. This year marks the biggest intake of students here at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. We also have a group in the industry – all with exciting placements.”
A new year, new beginnings and new students. This year marks the biggest intake of students here at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. We also have a group in the industry – all with exciting placements, such as Tahila Pillay, The Test Kitchen in Cape Town; Annie Morrick, La Colombe in Cape Town; Jessica George, Singita Lebombo Lodge; Marizen Smit, Restaurant Mosaic at the Orient in Pretoria; Ruvarashe Matsika, Summerhill Estate Culinary Retreat in KwaZulu-Natal; Braeden Royal, Werf Restaurant in Boschendal Estate in Franschhoek; and Maganizo Penti, Mount Grace Country House in Magaliesburg. I look forward to knowing how well they cope and to mentoring them through this extremely important part of their journey.
I also look forward to introducing you to each of our new students as they share their own home-cooked favourite meals. Keep in mind that they will be learning so much as the year goes on. I, however, have asked them to identify their family favourites and I hope you will try them out on your family and friends.
My first introduction is to Keagan Hughes, from England - our first English student. He has a unique story in that he was educated in England but has deep roots in South Africa – and now he feels he is home. At the age of 14 he realised his love of food and has worked in pubs, hotels and restaurants over the years and he is now ready for all that our course has to offer.
“I was born in Parklands Maternity Hospital in Durban,” Keagan explains. “My parents moved to the UK in 2003, and there I spent my childhood and early teenage years. I have always been familiar with the South African culture because my dad was a strong Springbok supporter and had a deep love of the county. I remember he would call me to watch the games with him and afterwards we would braai. My parents and my gran had a big influence on my cooking.
My dad and I would often cook together, coming up with different inventions and having so much fun in the kitchen. My gran is more of an old-school cook so when she was feeling tired, I would make dinner using recipes that she had taught me. I would often add something new to it just to give the dish a little extra flavour – thankfully, she always loved the end result. I am very grateful and thankful for the opportunity to be a student at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. Chef Jackie is an incredible chef and I hope to progress very far in the hospitality industry with her teaching and guidance.”
Keagan has chosen to share his mom’s tomato pasta salad. “This is very special to me because whenever we had a braai my mom would make it - and I remember how we all appreciated it,” he says. “My mom was a big influence on me because when my sister and I were growing up she would get us to bake cakes and, at the same time, we would always have so much fun.”
All of us at the school wish readers the very best of everything for 2020 – and we look forward to welcoming you to our venue, one day soon. Remember, if you are keen to enrol for next year’s intake you are welcome to come and spend time with us and let us start the process as soon as possible because each year is getting busier and I wouldn’t want you to miss an opportunity. Please try Keagan’s pasta salad recipe and send us your comments.
Kathy Pitout will be capturing our dishes on camera from now onwards, so I take this opportunity to thank Karen Edwards for her support over the years – and for the perfect images she always produced. I look forward to working with Kathy and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us.
Explore my website to find out more about my women’s, men’s and children’s chef ranges. 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”
All Photos taken by:
Kathy Pitout Photography
082 556 1417
Food assistant and recipe developer: Keagan Hughes