Taking it Easy, by Andy Fenner

Taking it Easy, by Andy Fenner. ISBN 9781920289560 / ISBN 978-1-920289-56-0

Andy Fenner's cookbook 'Taking it Easy' includes the profiles and recipes of 20 of South Africa's top chefs cooks for familiy and friends.

Andy Fenner  

Taking It Easy is a gorgeous book that oozes style and substance, much like the author, whom I both admire and respect for his wholesome food philosophy. When I first met Andy he was a blogger - amongst many others - trying to make a name for himself and trying to find a career in food. His blog (written under the pseudonym Jamie Who) quickly became one of the most popular in the country and his rise from obscurity to well-respected food writer has been meteoric. Not satisfied with only writing about food, he now also consults in a branding and design capacity for a number of restaurants and wineries. Named as one of "200 Young South Africans to watch" by Mail & Guardian in 2010, Andy has emerged as one of the finest young talents in this country. In this book he has chosen his 20 favourite chefs based on their own individual styles. He sums it up by explaining to me that "every chef has a strong food philosophy. Well ... every good chef. The people in this book have that unique creative streak of genius that sets them apart. When you put them next to each other they become even cooler, as you can see their different approaches to food and the distinctive role it plays." What makes this book especially refreshing for me is that it offers readers a rare and intimate glimpse into the kitchens and dining rooms of some of South Africa's best-loved chefs and foodies. A true culinary adventure, each chapter tells a different story, whether it's of following the award-winning David Higgs around Johannesburg's Neighbourgoods Market before watching him transform his spoils into a fabulously casual meal, or joining Margot Janse and her family at their Franschhoek home for a convivial table-side feast. Whatever the location, whomever the subject, the golden thread that runs through the pages of this book, is that good, honest food cooked with care and generosity can feed both body and soul. Narrated by Andy, whose special brand of wit comes alive on every page, he beautifully conveys what a humbling privilege it is to join his food heroes during their downtime, making us (the readers) feel honoured too. Andy points out, quite rightly, that his photographer Lar Leslie deserves special credit. "I would never - and could never - have done this book without Lar. She is the next big thing in food photography for sure. She's a genius. Every single pic in this book was taken with natural lighting and no stylist. Most of them were done on the fly, with only one shot at getting it right. To have nailed every single shot the way she has is a miracle and it made my job very easy. She's special." An absolutely stunning book. Taking It Easy is a true celebration of some of South Africa's biggest food stars. The author and photographer could well be rising stars too - hopefully this is the first of many from this dynamic duo who work so well together.

This is an excerpt from the ccokbook: Taking it Easy, by Andy Fenner.

Title: Taking it Easy
Author: Andy Fenner
Publisher: Jonathan Ball Publishers
Johannesburg & Cape Town, South Africa 2012
ISBN 9781920289560 / ISBN 978-1-920289-56-0
Hardcover, 21x25 cm, 224 pages, throughout b/w and colour illustrations