CRADOCK’S Victoria Manor and Die Tuishuise were the overall winners of the Wine and Food Tourism Awards in the section for an “Authentic South African Experience”.
Lisa Ker received the trophy on behalf of the family at a function at Spier near Stellenbosch.
According to Ker, the Karoo food in the Victoria Manor’s dining room was always authentic and traditional.
“The Karoo kitchen is all we know and love of Karoo food is in our bones and we transfer that to our guests through local ingredients, recipes and menus,” she said.
Ker told Komani-Karoo Express that their meals spoke of Karoo food heritage and that they used old family recipes, utilising everything, nose to tail, of any animal that was brought into their kitchen.
Victoria Manor and Die Tuishuise are also adamant to support local producers because, in a small town like Cradock, they need local producers as much as the producers need them.
“Through 30 years in business, we have learnt that travellers, both local and international, want to eat the food of the region and that is what we are giving them in our dining room. Our family and all our staff are local people who know the traditions and customs of area,” she said.
Die Tuishuise is an elegant collection of restored craftsmen’s houses. Two dozen of these cottages line Market Street up to the Victoria Manor, a grand old colonial hotel, ready to welcome its guests with hearty country fare.
“Our motto is to receive our guests as friends and to treat them like gentry,” Ker said.
