On Saturday the 19th of June the sherry battle between Cuno van ‘t Hoff (wine journalist) and myself took place in Okura’s Wine Room. The sherry tasting had a great start with the dry type fino (Tio Pepe) of the Gonzales Byas House, combined with the delicious Pata Negra and tubes of almonds and coriander. This delicacy is an example of Spanish tapas.

Last week Pasquinel Kolk, servicemanager of Ciel Bleu, was awarded ‘Leermeester van het Jaar 2010’, which means he is the best teacher of the year. He received this title during the Horeca & Retail Event of the ROC Horizon College in Heerhugowaard.

Yesterday afternoon a special wine tasting was organized in our Ciel Bleu Restaurant called ‘Feel the Heights with Terrazas de los Andes’. With a select group of people we discover the taste of Argentina under the supervision of the winemaker of Terrazas de los Anders, who flew to Amsterdam especially for this occasion.

To me, South Africa is an unknown country that I have always wanted to visit, especially to discover its culinary treasures. I have been introduced to the South African kitchen only once before, when Margot Janssen visited Ciel Bleu two years ago. That event was my first acquaintance with South Africa.