The meat which has been cooked and smoked over blistering hot wood and charcoal is served with an array of side dishes and accompaniments. Inc: Potato salad, Braaibroodjies, (Braai grilled sandwiches) corn and beer breads, skillpaadtjies (grilled lamb liver in caulfat) Karoo lamb riblets, Venison Potjie pots, corn on the cob and the list goes on to include condiments of homemade sauces, jams, chutneys and marmalades.

Some of the best oceans, rivers and dams are in South Africa. Which my Grandpa took full advantage of, learning how to fish from the locals when he was still in grade school, a skill he passed down to my father and him to me. We go flyfishing in the Drakensberg every Easter for freshwater trout and forage local mushrooms like porcinis and boletes. This became a family tradition for many families and even to this day, the same families travel from all over South Africa to be at Royal Natal National Park during Easter. These were some of the best times of my life and I shall never forget them.

The great sardine run would pass through the Southern coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal, where my grandparents stayed. This Phenomena would occur every year and still does every June-July. As a young boy, I would go visit my grandparents and keep the radio close by. When arriving to the location, there were always big nets and tractors around ready to grab the sardines, but I was always able to get in and out of the water before they set up and bringing home close to 100 sardines. My grandma would create some very interesting dishes from these little fish, often pairing them with grapes, almonds, herbs, lemon, garlic and a few other dishes that I still cook today. My love for seafood stemmed from these experiences and so did my love for the ocean.