‘Twas the night before Christmas….
All Chefs ready to go!
One of our busiest and fun-filled days of the year is Christmas. The carols were switched on and the Londolozi Kitchen started early to try and beat the already hot and steamy temperatures of the day.
Virginia, ‘Queen of Soups’ began roasting the tomatoes for her mouth-watering Tomato Soup, the Spinach and Coconut Tortellini’s were busy being rolled out, the Turkey in the oven, Cranberry, Sage and Pork Stuffing in their trays ready, Pork Bellies being stuffed with Porchetta and Oyster Mushrooms, Lamb Racks being brushed with Plum and Star Anise Infused Marinade, Spiced Sherry and Cider Cream Sauce reducing, Rib Eye’s being marinated, Christmas Vegetables – parsnips, red peppers, tenderstem broccoli and Fondant Potatoes being prepared, Christmas Puddings being steamed and Crème Anglaise being stirred – there was an amazing Christmas feel all around.
This year I designed two different menus to encompass the different “ambiance” in each of Londolozi’s camps.
Tree Camp, Granite Camp and Pioneer Camp were decked in Silver, White, Candelabras and Crystal with a delectable Five Course Tasting Menu paired with some of South Africa’s finest wines. On the tables we had the traditional African Christmas Tree – that of a baobab. Made by Cephas in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the baobabs, with roots facing up to the starlit sky, truly epitomise the simplicity and beauty of these trees.
The Baobab Christmas Trees at the Private Granite Suites
The Festive Silver colours of the table at the Private Granite Suites
Varty and Founders Camp guests walked into their Bomas (the outside eating area), with gold pineapple trees, red SchweSchwe cloth and illuminated with flares, lanterns, candle bags and twinkling giraffes! Salad and bread boards accompanied with Pestos and Tapenades, began the start of a delicious evening, where not a morsel was left for Santa!
A little guest under the twinkling giraffe
Solomon and Sipho leading the grills at Founders
A gold pineapple ‘tree’!
Varty Camp in Christmas light
The silver and gold of the Granite deck
Crackers, the surprise gifts of Christmas!
Christmas Puddings being Flambeed
shot 2
shot 3
Staff share in the Christmas spirit
Pioneer Camp
Tree Camp kitchen team
At Londolozi, we may be away from our families for Christmas but as staff we are fortunate to have Dave and Shan Varty as our “surrogate parents” who open their home each year to us – their extended Londolozi family! There’s a ‘sharing circle’, a moment to share the special qualities of each person present on this day. After this, the traditional and highly competitive Cricket match took place –won by Boyd Varty’s team! It’s a day that reminds of how fortunate we are to work at the best place on earth!
Intense scoring of the cricket match
Erin listens to the Sharing Circle
Melvin in his Christmas crab hat!
Our great leader Chris Kane-Berman and his lovely wife Debbie
The perfect space to play under the brightly-lit giraffe
The Londolozi Kitchen Team would like to wish all our guests a very Merry Christmas. We look forward to welcoming you back soon for more deliciousness!
What did you get up to on Christmas? Share with us below, we’d love to know…
Written by: Anna Ridgewell
Photographs by: Anna Ridgewell and Kate Collins
So nice to see Londolozi at Christmas. We celebrated our 54th wedding anniversary looking at our pictures we took at Londolozi in September. Wonderful memories. We will be back in 2016. Happy New Year to all!!
Thank you Arden
It is always a fabulous time in the bush!
Happy New Year!
Dear Team Londolozi,
How well we know the magic of your kitchen! We enjoyed a delightful Christmas with you in 2008. The food prepared especially for us was amazing. Your team made our Christmas feel very special.
Of course Tom Emrie, and Dave and Shan Varty were so welcoming and we long to return to Londolozi for another Londolozi fix.
Thank you!
Bravo! Keep up the good work team!
Dear Jan
Thank you very much!
We look forward to seeing you again soon.
Happy New Year!
Beautiful! Love the baobab Christmas trees. Can we get this online?
Dear Amy
Thank you so much.
I’m not sure if you can get the trees online, i will try and see if i can get some more information on Cephas.
Happy New Year!
Love all the pictures.! John and I got up to snow on the mountains in Crested Butte Colorado. Three daughters and their husbands and 10 grandchildren. Blessed beyond measure!
We want to bring them to Londolozi! We were there in Oct.
Dear Carole
Wow! Your Family’s Christmas sounded as amazing! We wish we’d had some snow as it was in the high 40’s!
Happy New Year to you all!
Dear Mr. Boyd Varty: I ready your book and loved it. It truly gave me a larger picture of South Africa. Your book was very witty and showed just how dangerous the wild animals are. I loved your story about the lioness cub jumping you with your pop corn and the flying trips with your parents. I would love to attend not as a tourist, but as a true animal and land lover. Thank you for sharing your world. Sincerely, Hannah Andrews, Meriden, CT, USA.
Thanks Hannah
I have passed your message on to Boyd. We are so glad you enjoyed his book – it is fabulous!
Happy New Year!
Looks like a beautifully orchestrated and very Happy Christmas was enjoyed by all. Well done Team Londolozi !
Thanks Jenny!
Glad you also had a good Christmas
Happy New Year!