In today’s fast world it is gratifying to know that more and more South Africans are returning to the land and becoming more aware of where their food comes from.

Harvest, Recipes from an Organic Farm by Christine Stevens is the story about a family’s journey from Cape Town city life to the good life on an organic farm.

She discovered that real organic farming, without chemicals, pesticides and artificial fertilisers, although rewarding, is incredibly challenging.

The book documents both the family’s trials and tribulations, as well as a good selection of unique recipes revolving around the food grown on the farm.

From baskets of heirloom tomatoes to home-raised pork and wine made from backyard grapes, this cookbook goes inside the kitchen of an organic farm to explore a rural lifestyle and its delicious benefits.  She shares not only her favourite recipes but also her passion for taking food straight from the garden into the kitchen. Using seasonal ingredients without much fuss, the recipes alternate between quick dishes from the best ingredients to slower, more indulgent meals that truly test one’s culinary skills. Tips for organizing a pantry are also included, and wonderful photography provides both food shots and a tour of the postcard-perfect farm.

Interested in buying this book? visit – Red Pepper Books – The South African online bookshop, they will be able to offer you great prices on any book you are looking for.

Wickedfood Cooking School, Sunninghill – (011) 234-3252 sunninghill@wickedfood.co.za

Wickedfood Cooking School runs cooking classes throughout the year at its purpose-built cooking studios. Classes are run in the mornings and evenings 7 days a week (subject to a minimum of 12 people). The venue is also popular for corporate events and private functions – team building cooking classes, birthdays, kitchen teas, and dinner parties with a difference.

Our classes are hands-on, where every person gets to participate in the preparation of the dishes. They are also a lot of fun where you not only learn new skills, but get to meet people with similar interests. For corporate groups and teambuilding cooking classes these events are a novel way of creating staff interaction or entertaining clients.