Event Reviews

One D-isappointing night at the Cape Town Stadium

Click here to read my review of One Direction's performance in Cape Town.

A motivational talk by Gloria Serobe

Click here to read my review of Gloria Serobe's motivational talk.

Side-splitting laughs at hot new local comedy club

The new home of comedy in Cape Town

Last night I was privileged to spend my Halloween in the company of the crème de le crème of South African comedy and other VIPs at Kurt Schoonraad’s relaunch of Jou Ma Se Comedy Club at their new venue, The Pumphouse at the V&A Waterfront. 


In attendance were Mel Jones, Rob van Vuuren, Stuart Taylor, John Vlismas, Loyiso Gola, Carl Weber, Dalin Oliver, among others.  Also mingling with the invited guests was hot new actor-comedian Siv Ngesi whose recent Race Card show at the Baxter won rave reviews and sold out in no time at all. The club is a platform for up-and-coming comedians to entertain alongside the more familiar names and also sometimes hosts international guests.

Kurt Schoonraad, owner of Jou Ma Se Comedy Club, and I

Jou Ma Se Comedy Club officially opens tonight (Friday, 1 November 2013) just next to the Red Shed and behind the Food Market (Old CD Wherehouse/Musica building). They were previously situated, in the now very trendy, Albert Road in Woodstock. 

It’s been a while since I’ve laughed out loud like I did last night (and not in the LOL-type way you do on social media)!  The tears were streaming down my face and my voice is husky (this morning) from all the woo hoos while simultaneously applauding. I garnered the occasional stare and smile from some of the audience members who didn’t find some of the content, what I can only imagine to be ‘inappropriate’, that funny.  

Loyiso Gola performing his set

Loyiso Gola and John Vlismas entertained the crowd in the way only comedians can. Their social commentary on topical issues, in that facetious manner, seems to highlight our differences, stereotypes, biases and our inability to sometimes laugh at our own ridiculous prejudices. So as to be expected, there were loads of expletives, sex-talk, picking on politicians, how sensitive the ‘race’ thing is and even some jokes about Oscar Pistorius, which granted did not get as much of a response. The majority of the content was side-splitting though. 

The venue has a lavish feel and the setting was quite intimate as people were milling about and socialising while snacking on finger-food prepared by Sue-Ann Allen, you might remember her as runner-up on the first season of MasterChef SA. She will be the resident chef preparing dinners at the club. Last night’s vegetarian springrolls were delicious and the oysters were divine. The club also has a full bar to cater for all your beverage needs. 

Kurt giving his thank you speech

Kurt officially opened the club by snipping a red ribbon held at one end by fellow comedians and BFFs Stuart Taylor and at the other end by Dave Levinsohn. They’ve been close with Kurt over the years and it was evident that they were elated to be sharing in this momentous occasion – a new home for the local comedy scene! 

Kurt also gave an extensive Oscar-like thank you speech to everyone who assisted in making his dream a reality. A long tribute went out to his wife who has been the biggest comedy supporter that nobody knows about. The rain on the evening was forgotten after all the raucous laughter. Kurt affectionately thanked all the coloured women who still came out to support the club, despite the rain and at the risk of their hair ‘mincing’ :)

Make sure you book today and tell everyone and your mother about the new comedy hot-spot! 

Laughter really is the best medicine!!!!

Jou Ma Se Comedy Club is open Wednesday to Sunday. Doors open at 6pm and the show starts at 8:30pm. Visit their website for more details and to book, alternatively you can book at Computicket.

The Art of Macaroon making – at the Lindt Chocolate Studio

My takeaway from The Art of Macaroon Making

Macaroons are a little French dessert, which primarily consists of meringue combined with almond flour and icing sugar. It is flavoured with essence, coloured with powder and sandwiched together with a filling (usually ganache but sometimes buttercream, curd, Nutella or even preserves).


These little delicacies have taken the world by storm, much like the cupcake craze of a few years ago, and everyone and their mother has attempted to make a version of it. Very few have successfully mastered them, as they are extremely tricky and temperamental to make.  The perfect macaroon has a hard shell with a gooey centre and a lace (or foot).

My certificate of participation

When I first started researching macaroons I read some weird and fascinating things about how to make the perfect macaroon. Some people advised to use eggs that were a few days old, while others spoke about trying to regulate the air and temperature (as this could also affect the outcome).

So when I discovered that the Lindt Chocolate Studio in Cape Town and Johannesburg were offering macaroon masterclasses (The Art of Macaroon Making) I jumped at the opportunity to attend. This meant that I would be one of twelve, other eager macaroon beavers, who would enjoy a four-hour workshop with a Lindt Chocolatier, to learn some tips and tricks on how to make the perfect macaroon.

During the workshop, the Chocolatier warns us to forget everything we’ve ever heard or read about making macaroons and to start with a blank canvas. He demonstrates how to make macaroons using the hot (Italian) method (which combines a hot sugary syrup into the meringue) and the cold (French) method.

He also shows us how to make some flavoured, chocolate ganaches. What I enjoyed most about the workshop was the interaction with the Chocolatier and the chance to ask questions and clarify anything you’d like to know about making macaroons. He provides some useful tips and by just watching him and absorbing the techniques you gain insight into how to perfect these little desserts. The experience is really priceless. And as a bonus they give you the recipes for the hot and cold method, as well as the Chocolate Tonka ganache, Raspberry & dark chocolate butter cream, Coconut & white chocolate truffle, Lemon curd, Cherry preserve and Mocha fillings.

Straight from the oven on the teflon paper

After we’ve witnessed first-hand how to make the macaroons, we have to go to our own workstation and apply what we’ve just learnt. We each attempt to make our own unique flavour macaroon using the hot method. The piping of the mixture (to ensure a perfectly round shell) is a bit tricky but gets better with practise. While they are baking we get to take a break and when we return we pipe the filling into our macaroons.

You can have such fun with macaroons as you can mix the flavour combinations of your shells with the different fillings so that they complement each other.

We swopped our macaroons with one another so that we end up having different flavour combinations. After the class there was a mini graduation ceremony and we were handed a certificate of participation.

Piping the chocolate ganache

I’ve recently attempted my first batch of macaroons (after the workshop) and I’m delighted to say that they were a huge success! I made chocolate macaroons and filled it with a Lindt chocolate ganache.

I used the Italian method, which required some investment in the appropriate tools. You need a digital thermometer (as the sugar syrup must reach 120 degrees Celsius before you add it to the meringue), a digital timer to ensure that you do not whisk a second longer than you need to, a heavy baking sheet, teflon paper, and a round nozzle and piping bag.

Chocolate macaroons with a Lindt Chocolate ganache

As you can tell, the recipe and method are very precise and to get it right you need all the help you can get. I strongly recommend The Art of Macaroon Making workshop at The Lindt Chocolate Studio. So why don’t you book today! It is a great way to spend some quality time with a friend or a loved one, who also enjoys baking. The Lindt Chocolate Studio also offers an array of other courses and you can learn more about them by visiting their website.

I'm a Belieber!

Click here to read my review on the Justin Bieber concert that took place at The Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, 8 May 2013.

Heaven was inside...

Click here to read my review on The Coldplay concert that took place at The Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, 5 October 2011.