The fans and friends of “The Fat Fairy” are mourning the loss of Melanie (Mel) Boucher from Durbanville, who recently passed away after a massive stroke.
The 63-year-old Boucher, who traded as The Fat Fairy, was a celebrated caterer well-known in Durbanville and surrounding areas for her culinary skills.
She personally cooked for the likes of Juliette Binoche, Samuel L. Jackson, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Clint and Scott Eastwood (on a private yacht and when filming Invictus).
Gordon Ramsay complimented her after asking to enter her kitchen at a function and said she would be welcome to fill a position in any of his restaurants. The tennis star Yannik Noah also got the Fat Fairy treatment. She also catered for the Boer Soek ‘n Vrou contestants in one of the episodes in the Cape.
Shocking news
Her friends are still in shock and disbelief about her death, says Leon Tolken, a friend and also a caterer in Durbanville. They recently held a memorial service at his house.
She boarded a plane to the UK on 15 January to celebrate her granddaughter’s birthday.
During the flight she suffered a massive stroke and the plane was diverted to Turkey in order to get her medical care,” he says.
Her daughter, Anke Riley, flew from England to Turkey, connecting for the last time. Riley had to return to the UK as there was little she could do and visits were kept to the minimum, he says.
“Over the following few days Mel suffered some seizures and after being put under sedation to prevent this, she slipped into a deep coma and passed away on 24 January.
“With a year separating the two visits (to her granddaughter), the excitement was palpable and lots of effort went into preparation for the journey.
“This included a suitcase full of birthday goodies that was going to be doled out over the course of a week celebrating her grandchild’s birthday,” he says.
“What makes it even more sad, is that there was nobody she knew with her. Even though she was in a coma, it feels wrong. On top of this, repatriation of a body was so costly that the family decided to have a burial done in Turkey – it went ahead without any family or friends,” he says.
According to him Boucher was “the heart and soul of the Durbanville private catering scene”.
“She was widely loved and known for her expert catering of everything from funerals to weddings and so much more. She displayed love through the food she made and, like her love, the portions were always generous,” he says.
At the memorial service Di Roberts recalled being neighbours with Mel as children growing up in Kimberley. Another life-long friend, Penny Peterson, remembered Mel as a Pam Golding estate agent when they first met 30 years ago, before the catering bug bit.
After working different areas they joined forces and became agents in Welgelegen.
Linda Crowley described Melanie as the type of friend that was easy to be around. Melanie was well read and an avid piano player and her go-to partner for Mark Lottering plays and the odd movie show.
With Tony Reis, a childhood friend, Mel had an “if I die before you“ agreement. Mel agreed to braai at his funeral and Tony agreed to play “Amazing grace” at her memorial. And so he did, Tolken says.
“Tony was fantastic on the bagpipes and many memories and tears where exchanged on the day.”
Others at the memorial included Arthur Black and Athol Methven, the new owner and manager of Pick n Pay Graanendal respectively.
Background
Mel attended Kimberley Girls High, but was involved in almost everything at Catholic Boys College (CBC) – “from the annual operetta, playing tennis to watching sport. She was jokingly refered to as the first old girl of CBC”.
“The ones that Mel was closest to and meant the most to her was her brother, John Boucher, her daughter Anke Riley and granddaughter Izzi.”
“For me Mel was one of those exceptional human beings you are honoured to have in your life if you’re lucky. Too often we loose these people without having been properly appreciative of them while they where with us. She was part of the best moments of my life, catering at my wedding and another at our house being the last. I will remember her long voice notes when we were both working through the night and sometimes just a ‘lekker’ talk to touch base,” Tolken says.
