The Stellenbosch family of food, wine and hospitality professionals have rallied in support of beloved South African foodie veteran, cookbook author, TV content producer and scriptwriter Errieda du Toit.

Together, they are donating time, expertise and stock to a special fundraiser dinner at Lanzerac Estate Hotel and Spa on Thursday 24 June, for which tickets have gone on sale.

For decades, Du Toit has inspired and connected South Africans through food. She is widely known as the home cook on RSG, food content producer for the popular TV series Kokkedoor and author of several acclaimed cookbooks, including the Kokkedoor cookbooks, Masterchef SA – The Cookbook and Share: A Century of South African Community Recipes.

She now faces acute medical challenges and the Stellenbosch family hopes to raise funds to aid her care.

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Uniting for a cause

The fundraiser is being presented by Onderstok Food Creative, a collective of Stellenbosch chefs committed to celebrating food, creativity and community, in association with Stellenbosch Wine Routes.

The event has been made possible through the generosity of Lanzerac, chefs, wine producers, hospitality partners and suppliers who have donated their time, expertise and products in support of the initiative.

The evening will be hosted by media personality Martelize Brink, who has generously donated her time to the fundraiser.

The culinary line-up for the evening brings together some of the Cape Winelands’ most respected chefs, including Bertus Basson (Bertus Basson Family Restaurants), Garth Bedford (Joostenberg), Drikus Brink (Toevlug), Marthinus Ferreira (Jordan Restaurant), Stephen Fraser (Lanzerac), Cornelle Minie (Middelvlei), Shaun Scrooby (VUUR), Michelle Theron (Vergenoegd Löw) and Jess van Dyk (Post & Pepper), all of whom have donated their time and talents in support of the cause.

“Errieda has touched countless lives through her passion for food, storytelling and bringing people together around the table,” says chef and restaurateur Basson. “She is a cherished member of our community and this dinner is our way of giving something back. Through the generosity of everyone involved, we hope to provide meaningful support to Errieda and her family during a challenging time, while celebrating the extraordinary contribution she has made to South African food culture.”

What to expect

Guests can look forward to an evening of exceptional food, fine Stellenbosch wines and heartfelt camaraderie, all in support of a woman whose influence on South African food and wine extends far beyond the written word.

All funds raised through ticket sales will be donated to assist Errieda and her family. Those unable to attend the dinner can contribute directly to the fundraising campaign established in support of Errieda and her family via BackaBuddy at www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/kom-ons-help-errieda.

Tickets for the fundraiser cost R1 250 each and includes a four-course family-style feast and wine. Bookings can be done via DinePlan.

Those wishing to make the most of the evening can also reserve a room at Lanzerac Hotel via www.lanzerac.co.za. As part of its support for the initiative, Lanzerac will donate R1 000 from every room booked for the night of 24 June directly to the fundraiser.