The Table; pop-up food, wine, ceramics and music evening

My beautiful place setting, lit up by a Sarah Walters tea light. With Eskom having switched off our electricity, we were thrown into the most magnificent ambient light. So do forgive my dark artistic shots, they give atmosphere.   

Christopher Duigan, Pietermaritzburg’s most celebrated concert pianists, held a spontaneous collaborative ‘pop-up’ ceramic, food, wine and music evening at his home on Thursday night.

Our host Christopher Duigan seen here with Jackie Cameron of
Hartford House as well as master potter David Walters

Acclaimed baritone Njabulo Madlala, Penny Hatting,
owner of Traffords and Maxine Matthews, saxophonist. 

The idea behind the pop-up event, which Duigan called ‘The Table’, came from wanting to celebrate good food and wine with his friends. He decided to collaborate the food and wine evening with famous South African master potter David Walters. Walters was generous enough to provide all of the dinnerware for the event, as well as provide an impromptu exhibition of some of his work. Word quickly spread and Jane-Anne Hobbs, author of ‘Scrumptious’ and food blogger joined the celebration. Soon enough there were thirty guests joining in the soirée including winemakers, musicians, artists and organic farmers.

My favourite scene from the party. I love this quirky table dressing.  

Chef Kayla-Ann Osborn and Penny Hatting
were responsible for the lovely canepes. 

The idea of a pop-up party is a relatively modern one and has gained much popularity in Europe and North America. The idea is to host an event, such as a restaurant or exhibition, for one night only hence the name ‘pop-up’. South African audiences saw it on a large scale when fashion designer David Tlale hosted a pop up fashion show for the Jo’berg fashion week on the Mandela bridge. The host transforms an ordinary venue into a place of celebration or festivity.

I was treated to four courses of delicious meals and wine, as well as hearing Duigan perform with acclaimed saxophonist Maxine Matthews. But the biggest treat of all was getting to sit next to none other than South African-borne, London-based baritone Njabulo Madlala. Hearing him sing Thula made my eyes fill with tears.       

My favourite meal of the night, Duigan's 40 Clove Garlic Chicken - so yummy I had seconds.

The evening was a celebration of all things food with every with every meal being made lovingly from organic natural, tasty ingredients. The food and wine was superb, but best of all was sharing this wonderful evening with fantastic, interesting, local South Africans, who have a taste for the finer things in life.

ABOVE and BELOW: Neil Lowe and team, creating his wonderful
Exploding Bone Marrow and Smoked Cherry Ice Cream.