Culinary icon Peter Veldsman Receives Golden Vine Award from De Wetshof Estate
Monday, 12 November, 2012
De Wetshof Estate
One of South Africa’s most renowned food personalities, Peter Veldsman,
received the Golden Vine Award for his contribution to the local food
and wine culture during the bi-annual Celebration of Chardonnay held on 9
November on De Wetshof Estate in Robertson.
This award has been made since the first Celebration of Chardonnay in 2006 as recognition of an individual whose culinary contribution has complemented the South African wine industry, allowing for the current status of excellence enjoyed in the mutually inclusive fields of food and wine.
Hailing from the town of Ladysmith in South Africa’s Little Karoo, Peter has cooked for nobility and dined with royalty. He has written books and articles that have been acclaimed internationally. Along with his partner in Emily’s Restaurant, Johan Odendaal, he was given the name “the bravest restaurateur” by the late LanniceSnyman for succeeding in establishing and sustaining a business at South Africa’s most expensive address.
During his countless journeys to the food capitals of the world, Peter has been an ambassador – not only for South African cuisine, but for our country and its colourful, diverse and spirited people.
As far as the formalities of his career go, these are too vast to mention: establishing South Africa’s first Cordon Bleu School with the late Lesley Faull. Becoming South Africa’s most well-known and influential food editor during a two decade career with Sarie Magazine.A founder of the South African branch of the Chaine des Rotisseurs and Chairman of the Culinary Circle of South Africa.Inclusion in the “Who’s Who of the World” since 2004. A television chef before a Food Network was invented.
The list goes on.
Peter’s passion, his encyclopaedic knowledge of food and wine and his sheer technical brilliance as a chef is complemented by his warm-hearted generosity, his unique humour and his unrivalled hospitality.
De Wetshof is honoured to present him with the Golden Vine for his selfless contribution to the culinary landscape of South Africa.