Last week Food24 was invited to attend Benguela on Main’s very first media event. The evening was in honour of their new winter tasting menu created by their executive chef Jean Delport in collaboration with sommelier Denis Garret. The tasting and pairing was nothing short of exceptional, which was elevated by the great company and glamourous yet cosy atmosphere of Benguela on Main.
Owners Penny Street OBE and Nick Rae continue to expand the the Benguela
name because of their love for South Africa’s culture and offerings in
the fine-food and wine industries. They hope to share this with the UK
as well with the acquirement of their new Benguela estate in West
Sussex, England.
(Gerret, left and Delport, right)
The pair aim to provide their guests with a luxuries yet relaxed experience at all their establishments which include Benguela Cove wine estate and pop-up restaurant (Hermanus), Benguela on Main (Somerset West) and Benguela Brasserie and Restaurant at the Lakeside Lodge and Spa in Sedgefield. Each place exudes excellence and elegance and a menu that strives to offer its diners an original fine-dining experience that are perfect.
This is exactly what we experienced last Wednesday evening, classic fine-dining in a setting defined by glamour and opulence. Delport outdid himself with flavours that danced together on our plates, some combinations not commonly paired which made the dishes really stand out. Our six course tasting menu, paired with wine, kept us on our toes throughout, with unique dishes that displayed successfully Delport’s talent and imagination. A highlight was the pumpkin gnocchi with pickled mushrooms as well as the orange chocolate dessert, white chocolate orange made to look like an actual orange with chocolate sponge and orange mousse inside – perhaps a nod to Heston Blumenthal’s famous orange.
Denis Garret’s sommelier skills could not go unmentioned. His pairing was probably the best I’ve ever experienced, serving us quiet yet award-winning gems like the once-off Middelberg Chenin Blanc which only had around 40 bottles left. Not only was Garret a great entertainer but it was as if Delport and him were meant to be, and together they really made an incredible tasting menu.
The tasting menu is offered on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evening and is priced at R850 for the wine pairing or R600 without. Diners will also receive a complimentary bottle of Benguela Cove wine for two to take home. The offer is not suitable for parties more than 8, and it runs until the end of October.
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