WINE, FOOD, AND EVERYTHING THAT'S GOOD!

Heritage Month is all about celebrating who we are as South Africans, and what better way to do that than through food, wine, fire, and skinner?! 

This September, Leopard’s Leap in Franschhoek invites you to its South African Table experience, this time with a playful braai-inspired “Braai op ’n Stokkie” theme that promises to bring people together in true South African style.

At the heart of the SA Table is Chef Christiaan Visser, who has been with Leopard’s Leap for almost a decade. He’s as passionate about connecting with people as he is about cooking, and his natural warmth and charm will undoubtedly set the mood for a relaxed, and truly memorable experience.  “Food and wine have always been a theme in our house”,  he laughed. “From homemade cheese to family braais, it’s always been about sharing, and being together”. 

That sense of sharing is exactly what you’ll find at the September SA Table event. In Leopard’s Leap’s open-plan kitchen, guests will gather around one long table where a mini braai’s will be set out, inviting you to braai your own stokbrood (bread on a stick) and aromatic lamb sosaties, while you sip perfectly paired Leopard’s Leap wines and share stories that spark memories of your own family gatherings. What’s not to love? 

For Christiaan, the theme runs deeper than just flavour. He recalls growing up in the Northern Cape region between Pofadder and Augrabies, where his grandfather farmed sheep. Days spent in the veld were sustained by stokbrood and sausages thrown straight into the coals, wrapped in layers of newspaper until perfectly cooked inside!  I’ve never heard of cooking boerie in newspaper before, but I’m here for it! Christiaan went on to say, “It was about making do with what we had.  Perhaps I didn’t realise it at the time, but it was something so beautifully South African”.

When it comes to the menu, don’t expect something conventional or fixed!  Like any real braai, surprises are part of the fun.  Christiaan loves reimagining the traditional favourites.  For example, reinventing Sago-Souskluitjies/Sago dumplings.  He explained how instead of using the traditional method with egg yolks, he whisks in cream to create a lighter texture, then pairs it with almond-butter, white chocolate mousse, and poached pears.  Yes please!  He also spoke about fermenting his own Worcestershire sauce to baste the homemade boerewors, which ties into his theme of keeping things authentic, and properly South African, while still giving it a modern Leopard’s Leap twist.  This way he’s able to serve familiar flavours with a fresh, reimagined “personality”. He’s out to prepare food that will tell a story.  That’s for sure.

Backtracking on Worcestershire…I obviously couldn’t resist bringing up that old (and popular joke). What are the three most difficult things to say in life?  I love you, I’m sorry, and Worcestershire!  I promise, Christiaan actually laughed.

What makes the Leopard’s Leap SA Table experience truly special, is the atmosphere.  With only 20 guests per seating, it’s intimate, interactive, and always one of a kind.  “I usually crack a couple of silly jokes to help break the ice”, Christiaan admitted with a grin.  “The wine does the rest”.  And, with Leopard’s Leap’s world-class wine flowing freely, Christiaan says that the table quickly becomes a gathering of friends rather than strangers.

Expect carefully chosen pairings from the Culinaria range, like a wooded Chenin Blanc that balances creamy elements, or even a smoky Pinotage that feels right at home next to sizzling coals, with every sip complimenting Christiaan’s dishes, adding further layers, and dimensions to this really thoughtful, and senses-stimulating taste adventure!

For Christiaan, it’s simple.  “I want people to walk away having had a truly South African experience, not just a meal, but a long-lasting memory of both South Africa and Leopard’s Leap”.

I’d suggest booking your spot ASAP, as I expect tickets to sell fast (especially being Heritage month)!

Date: Every Wednesday to Saturday (Heritage theme for month of September).

Time: 13:00 – 15:30.

Cost: R820 p/p, includes wine and gratuity.

Seats: Limited to only 20 per day.

Bookings can be made here. Alternatively, contact the farm at info@leopardsleap.co.za or call them on +27 021 876 8002.