Set in South Africa’s food and wine capital, the Franschhoek valley, chef Chris Smit shows of his culinary skills in Geure uit die Vallei.
New to SABC2, the Afrikaans cooking show will leave your taste buds salivating, with easy-to-follow, step-by-step recipes.
“Viewers can expect innovative yet unpretentious everyday recipes that are easy to re-create at home - but the show also places special emphasis on demystifying the ‘art’ of sweet and savoury baking,” Smit said.
“It has been my experience that even avid cooks tend to be daunted by the idea of baking - and I want to inspire them to be more daring and adventurous. Of course, the breathtaking beauty of the Franschhoek valley and the leisurely lifestyle it engenders is also a large part of the show’s appeal and inspiration.”
Smit will cook contemporary interpretations of tried-and-trusted recipes he grew up with, as well as home-style adaptations of specialities from his chefing years - all prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
“The aim of the show is to encourage people to enjoy their time in the kitchen and not be bewildered by too many intricate, time-consuming steps and ingredients,” he said.
“I was lucky enough to have grown up in a family of excellent cooks who instilled in me a passion for cooking and baking. I didn’t realise just how special that was at the time, but now I cherish and celebrate every time-honoured family recipe I grew up with.”
Although Smit now enjoys a laid-back life in the countryside hosting a television show, it wasn’t always his dream. He opted for the quieter life after missing out on special occasions due to work.
“I traded the commercial kitchen for my home kitchen and catering business. The food show came along much later – and quite fortuitously,” he said.
“But having worked in the industry for many years, I know all too well the great personal sacrifices chefs and other kitchen staff make on a daily basis. You miss out on all the momentous occasions like Christmas and New Year because you’re always working.
“My better half also recognised that I came close to burning out from the rigorous, demanding hours and urged me to slow down before I lost the love of it. Now that I know what it feels like to cook and enjoy a Christmas meal at home with friends and family, I know I made the right choice.”
Initially, Smit wasn’t a fan of “lights, cameras and action” sequences, but he decided that he’d give it a try to get his message about food out to South Africa.
“I’m not attracted to the limelight, so having my own food show never crossed my mind; however, my food is my message. It’s my wish to share my passion for baking and cooking with as many people as possible, in the hope that they’ll find preparing a good meal as transformative and cathartic as I do,” he said.
“The show also offered a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the beauty of Franschhoek and share it with a wider audience.”
Viewers will also get to see Smit’s four-legged, furry friend, Sophia. They often visit wineries, farms and food markets together.
“Sophia is a mixed-breed rescue dog we adopted from the local SPCA. Somehow separated from her mother, she had been wandering the streets of Franschhoek, scavenging for scraps,” he said.
“Today she’s a healthy, happy and a much-loved member of the family with a wonderfully uplifting spirit.
“Sophia accompanies me everywhere, on and off camera, and shares my love for the great outdoors, freshly baked breads, pastry and, perhaps remarkably, fresh fish - especially raw salmon! Many would say that she’s actually the real star of the show.”