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Safari Food

26/04/2021 • Tamara Kirkwood • Leave a Comment

So for many – this title would be obvious – Food on Safari. For me- it conjures up so much more that just the Food you would eat whilst on Safari. It means Safari supply towns. Safari logistics. Safari camp stock management. Safari camp store rooms. Safari camp cold rooms. Safari kitchens. And (my favourite) – Safari Chefs. Well honestly these are all some of my “favourite things” – and they’re all quite unique and different from your “run-of-the-mill” restaurant or hotel type set ups in more urban spaces…. But , if you follow me on Instagram @collaborate_food – you will have seen me chat about the sometime stressful, mostly interesting and wonderful aspects of how bringing food into the bush and preparing delicious and delightful food for guests on safari is so much more challenging and rewarding than cooking in urban spaces. It requires advance planning, brilliant relationships with suppliers, on the ground fixers and pickers or collection people that can check quality and make decisions about ingredients without being a chef. It relies on people that understand – how important the difference between green, yellow or even vaguely ripe bananas can be to critical stress levels. It means hard avos, individually wrapped (in old newspaper preferably) pineapples or pawpaw’s packed carefully for transport. The list goes on and on …. Food on Safari also instantly conjures up memories of sunrise coffees with a little homemade treat enjoyed from a tiffin tin, dinners under starry skies, drinks around roaring boma fires, or bush dinner festivities with the sounds of roaring lions or cackling hyenas in the air. For most, a safari includes at least a bush breakfast enjoyed under the shade of a lovely tree, or picnics had alongside might rivers or shallow dams where we have the privledge of watching the natural world just BE. To me- its not just food that we eat on safari. Its a critical component of our sensory memory of that time. It can make or break a stay as far as I am concerned. Which is why I try keep it simple. Keep it relevant to the place and the flavours of the land or people enjoying the food. This Covid-19 Crisis has grounded us all. The hospitality industry being one of the hardest hit – and the most painful thing to experience (and witness my clients and other operators) hanging on…

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Tropical breakfast things and memories of past pro Tropical breakfast things and memories of past projects that made our hearts (and guests) happy @foxbrowne_creative 🍍🍍🍍#collaborATEfood #foodconsultant #luxurysafari @andbeyondphinda 🍍🍍🍍
When past projects still inspire me… beaut famil When past projects still inspire me… beaut family style feasts and all the pretty things from furniture to table settings and servingware 🧡
#collaborATEfood #safarifood #foodconsultant
Now and then I head to Joburg to meet the team at Now and then I head to Joburg to meet the team at @foxbrowne_creative - we work on such detail over months and months (sometimes years) virtually- so to have that face to face time is not just important but it’s great for my mind and soul! 
Here the wonderful Mary (Fox Browne Host & Chef) made the most fabulous lunch feast for us all as we met with clients to discuss the delicious details for their property…. Nothing like “showing what you mean on paper” over lunch between reviewing plans and going through details. 
Looking forward to being back with the team next week again! 
#collaborATEfood #foodconsultant #menudesign
The absolute joy that pure simple things (like fre The absolute joy that pure simple things (like fresh fruit & veg  juices daily) bring when indulging in so much delicious food on safari @lolebezi_ 🍐🥬🍊🍋🍐
#collaborATEfood #safarifood #juicing
A lovely spot for a simple little Afternoon Tea en A lovely spot for a simple little Afternoon Tea enjoyed before a sunset cruise down the Zambezi … I’m revisiting these old pics as I’m currently working on some new ideas for this team who I’ll be with soon in Zambia 🍰🍪 🫖 🥂
#collaborATEfood #safarifood #afternoontea
I love helping teams create delicious and delightf I love helping teams create delicious and delightful food in wild places! Sometimes I play a very active “directive role”. Other times I just support or guide where required…. But regardless of my role in the  food - the setting and the details of the spaces which we create these meals to be enjoyed in -  always make my heart sing. I just loved this special table setting by the amazing team @foxbrowne_creative for Rattray’s @malamalagamereserve - just made dinner feel like a ceremony meant to be enjoyed with time and presence in where you are as table lights cast these magical shadows over cut glasses and quality table linen 🩶
#collaborATEfood #tablesettings #dinnertabledecor
Dreaming of spring salads- or even better - some Dreaming of spring salads-  or even better - some juicy summer nectarines for this delish little salad…And of course this @michelethrossellinteriors table that played so nicely with all our crockery at @andbeyondtengile 
🍑🥬🍑🥬
 #collaborATEfood #safarifood #andbeyondtengile
All the yummy things - freshly baked vegan berry s All the yummy things - freshly baked vegan berry sponge, and some other savoury nibbles for Afternoon Tea whilst on safari x 
#collaborATEfood #safarifood #afternoontea

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We work with hospitality clients to produce delightful and sustainable food experiences that are right for the wild places where their guests enjoy them, specialising in all areas of the guest dining experience—from food concept, to sourcing and stocking, staff training, styling details and service delivery.

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