SecretEATS is the South African version of the biggest trend in fine dining around the world, the pop-up restaurant. You receive an invitation by email. Very little is told to you up front except for the date and the city. The rest is kept tightly under wraps until the morning of the dinner.
Dinners have been hosted in private homes, vacant warehouses, underground wine cellars and rooftops in Cape Town, Joburg and Durban. Chefs have included Brad Ball from Bistro Sixteen82 and Chef Randall Maarman of the Mount Nelson Hotel.
Last night's SecretEATS popped up in the pop-up art gallery The Bombay Sapphire Imagination Room in the heart of Soweto. The thatched roofed art gallery was once a butchery and for a limited time it is showcasing internationally recognized local artists in a show curated by the Mashumi Arts Projects.
A secret pass phrase and the secret location were revealed to us by email early on the morning of the dinner. Whispering "a secret night of pure imagination" got you through the door.
We and about 30 other adventurers started off the night on the veranda with a signature cocktail. A Bombay gin watermelon mojito-like concoction. We were free to hang out under the thatched roof and mingle or peruse the artwork inside the gallery.
Movember mustaches and an amuse bouche of Brie Fritters in a Beetroot Puree.
Chef Sasha Simpson, the creator of Prep'd by Sasha, described her philosophy of food.
The curator was on hand to describe the art work for sale.
A Pear, Feta & Avocado Salad followed by a White Almond Gazpacho with Green Melon Ribbons and Chorizo Confetti.
The wine and conversation flowed freely! This Duke of Wellington Cabernet Sauvignon is a private reserve which came straight from the farm to the table.
Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Carrot Puree, Braised Lentils, Caramelized Baby Carrots and Balsamic Jus.
Bunny chow. Use your imagination!
There was a raffle drawing with the proceeds going to a local Soweto school charity. It was a nice end to an imaginative evening.
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