Celebrity chef training a real food adventure

KNYSNA NEWS - After being trained by a celebrity gourmet chef, Jean-Marie Digue is using her new-found skills in the kitchen at The Living Cornerstone, a home in Sedgefield that cares for patients diagnosed with dementia.

Digue recently had the opportunity to work with Marcus Gericke, an award-winning chef, at a renowned restaurant in Somerset West.

Fine detail

"Working alongside head chef Marcus Gericke, who has obtained many prestigious awards as a chef, was an unforgettable experience," Digue said.

"It's something that is very difficult to describe in words. The absolute fine detail that's applied to every dish is absolutely amazing, and because of this I will never be able to look at any dish without making sure that it goes out one hundred percent.

"The fact is that this form of art can be applied to any dish if you make sure that you work with fresh ingredients and make sure that nothing else but your very best effort goes into the meal you are busy with."

Marcus Gericke's special touch

Practice, discipline

She said it "will, however, take a lot of practice and discipline" to reach the standard set by Gericke as she and other chefs prepare meals for the patients at the home.

The team at the home said Digue's training formed part of a drive to empower staff.

"The idea is that we want our staff to learn from the best there is to improve their skills.

"Our team at The Living Cornerstone is extremely proud of the amazing feedback received from chef Marcus, and we are excited to see the positive impact the training will have on our facility."

Meal plated by Marcus Gericke