Luke Dale-Roberts has been capped Eat Out Chef of the Year for 2011 and has been a TASTE favourite chef for ages. His latest foray into food has been creating a gourmet range for Woolworths just in time for Christmas. Read more about it, and watch our video of Luke's layed-back Christmas at home.
“When Woolies asked me to develop a line of luxurious Christmas favourites with passionate food lovers in mind, naturally, I jumped at the opportunity.
A sun-kissed Christmas with a South African twist … what could be more up an Englishman’s alley? Plus, I’m a sucker for working to a brief – I love the way that clear boundaries push my creativity, spring-boarding ideas that wouldn’t normally enter my day-to-day thinking.
Okay, but then the brief … it turned out this was going to be one tough (albeit Christmas) cookie. You can’t really get away from the festive season’s nostalgic associations – after all, Christmas isn’t really Christmas without red berries, smoked gammon, cinnamon and spice.
Yet, while they still want all the comfort and joy, today’s forward-thinking foodies also crave a little more edge … yes, a “sense of occasion”, as my mum always called it, but also a twist, a bit of “wow”.
The result, then, is a range of goodies that have both the requisite celebratory bling but also a bit of contemporary clout.
All you need do is dress them up with a side or two and perhaps a fancy sauce and, Bob’s your uncle … a great meal on the table and time to open your pressies too.”
The gourmet range offers a selection of aromatic sides, dressings and relishes, luxe pre-prepared starters, hearty mains and a sensational ‘Christmas Mess Pudding’ – his take on the classic Eton Mess, studded with aromatic mincemeat and best served with his jewel coloured Summer Berry Christmas Pudding.
TRY LUKE'S DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS RECIPES:
WATCH THE BEHIND-THE-SCENES VIDEO OF THE MAKING OF OUR FEATURE "STAR TURN' FOR THE DECEMBER 2011 ISSUE OF TASTE
Note: Luke's exclusive range will be available at the following Woolworths stores from 12 to 25 December 2011:
Brooklyn PTA, Canal Walk CT, Cavendish Square CT, Constantia Village CT, Cresta JHB, Eastgate JHB, Farrarmere JHB, Fourways JHB, Gateway DBN, Gardens CT, Hout Bay CT, Hyde Park JHB, Piazza St John CT, Pletenberg Bay EC, Sandton City JHB, Somerset Mall S/West, Tyger Valley CT, V&A Waterfront CT, Walmer Park PE, Westville Pavillion DBN.
TRY A FEW OF LUKES OTHER RECIPES:
VIDEO AND ARTICLE CREDITS:
- Production: Sumien Brink
- Photographer: Michael Le Grange
- Video: Flat Art
- Music: Three Kings of Orient
- Starring in the video: Peter Eastman, Luke's wife Sandalene, Luke, Kirsty Bennerman, Finley Dale-Roberts and Jemina Eastman.