I combined my knowledge, passion for food and entertaining to create Hoofmaal in 2021. As young laaitie, I learnt to cook at my mother’s knee, helping her in the kitchen to prepare a proper “boere kos” Sunday Lunch. “Never a level cup”, she would say, “always heaped – die ekstra bietjie is die liefde” (the extra bit is for love).
I graduated from the ICA (Institute of Culinary Arts) and embarked on my culinary journey honing my craft at prestigious restaurants in Franschoek. Most notably my tenure on world class game reserves in South Africa is where I enjoyed personal success transforming the cuisine from the more traditional game reserve style of good home-cooking to a gastronomic fusion between the classic French style I studied, and the traditions and flavours of the Karoo.
I'm also the owner and founder of Schoonhuid Lifestyle; a bath, body and skincare manufacturing company, creating personal care products made to celebrate and enhance true beauty, here in Graaff Reinet. After years working away from home, I decided to came back to my roots and settle in Graaff Reinet where I'm an active member of the local community and a forerunner in creative menu's and personal care manufacturing.
Born and bred in the Karoo, a true son of the Camdeboo!