Chef Liam Tomlin and wife Jan know what they want and, for that matter, what they don’t. And as all couples that have embarked on a home renovation project know, that’s half the battle won.

Whether you’re a bibliophile, a design junkie or just plain voyeuristic, the bookcase in chef Liam Tomlin and wife Jan’s new home has an undeniable magnetism. Ensconced in a wall in the lounge, the solid-timber frame stretches from floor to ceiling, with each square shelf crammed with colour-coded cookery tomes. As per Liam’s preference, the dust jackets have been removed to reveal the fabric-covered spines, so Larousse Gastronomique and Lessons in Excellence from Charlie Trotter nestle together with their maroon counterparts, whereas hardbacks by Gordon Ramsay and Neil Perry cosy up in their own dedicated grey section.

Offering easy access to the top shelves is a ladder enamelled a fire-engine red. “There was this battered metal ladder standing outside Chef’s Warehouse one morning and next thing I saw two guys running down the street with it,” says Liam. “I shouted after them to ask how much they wanted for it, and they said R20. So I gave them the 20 and sent off the ladder to have the rusted metal fixed up, spray-painted and those lovely wooden pieces added to the ends.”

READ MORE: Chef Liam Tomlin’s Fried Fish Tacos Recipe

The same lateral thinking behind the books and ladder is evident in the approach the couple took to renovating the 104-year-old house they’d bought in the Cape Town City Bowl: They honoured what was already there, but weren’t afraid to take risks to unlock the hidden potential. To be sure, it wasn’t a minor makeover (renovations took more than a year), but ultimately the changes that were made both simplified and maximised the space.

“It was a three-bedroom, but we wanted to design a place just for us,” says Liam. “We made it a one-bedroom so there wouldn’t be any areas that won’t get used. You get spare rooms that are used for only two weeks a year. We didn’t want that.”

Downstairs, the walls of a previously poky kitchen were knocked out and the staircase was moved from the centre of the lounge to the entrance to create a flowing open-plan lounge, dining and kitchen area that extends onto a deck and courtyard.

As far as the decor was concerned, “We knew what we wanted,” says Jan. “The doors, the metal windows, the conservatory, the stainless-steel kitchen, the black-and-white chequered bathroom floors… We showed references of all of it to interior designer Douw de Kock, and he drew up a plan for us.”

With the day-to-day running of their four restaurants, Jan and Liam rarely get to entertain at home, but the downstairs area is tailor-made for rip-roaring brunch and dinner parties. “Before the Eat Out Awards, we had a few of the guys here for a Champagne and bacon buttie breakfast,” says Liam. “It’s great, because I could cook and interact with them at the same time.”

Made to Liam’s specifications, the sleek stainless-steel-finished kitchen is mellowed by a flood of natural light thanks to a curved conservatory roof crafted by local company Metal Windows. The undisputed heart of the kitchen is a free-standing jet-black Officine Gullo cooker, imported from Florence. “This is the Rolls Royce of ovens,” says Liam. “I wanted everything in this kitchen to be beautiful.”

The true extent of the renovation reveals itself upstairs. A space that previously housed two bedrooms and a bathroom is now one sprawling interior, punctuated only by steel-framed glass partitions. Far from being tucked away, the open bathroom is a focal point, with herringbone-patterned tiles and fixtures by Victorian Bathrooms helping to set the aesthetic, instead of merely echoing it. Cabinetry was custom-made by Cape Customs, including a wood-and-glass armoire fashioned from floorboards salvaged during the renovation.

The sleeping quarter’s true highlight, however, is its exterior. Where once there was only a window with a sloping corrugated roof below it, there is now a spacious balcony offering views of Signal Hill and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway on one side and the CBD on the other.

Asked whether the renovation caused any tiffs, Liam and Jan both say when you have the same taste, half the battle is won. “I love to walk into a house that tells a story,” says Liam. “This house tells our story. It shows our passion for food, wine, travel, art, music… Everything we like.”

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The list of nominees for the esteemed annual Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards is out.

The list was compiled by a panel of anonymous judges and convened by Margot Janse. “A fantastic field of nominees has come out of this year’s judging, with some newcomers and old favourites making up a list that truly represents the best of the best in South African dining today,” she explains. “As always, these nominees have been nominated for their achievements in excellent dining, innovative menus, ambience and service excellence.”

On Sunday 18 November 2018, the top 10 restaurants will be revealed at the ceremony held at Grand West.

The nominees, in alphabetical order, are:

• Camphors at Vergelegen

Camphors Restaurant. Image credit: Gabrielle Holmes

• The Chefs’ Table (Umhlanga)
• Chefs Warehouse & Canteen
• Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia
• Chefs Warehouse at Maison
• DW Eleven-13
• Fermier Restaurant
• Foliage
• Foxcroft
• Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort
• Indochine

Indochine

• Jardine Restaurant
• Jordan Restaurant
• La Colombe

La Colombe. Image credit: Micky Hoyle

• Le Coin Français
• La Mouette
• La Petite Colombe
• La Tête
• Marble
• Nobu at One&Only

Nobu

• Overture
• The Pot Luck Club
• The Restaurant at Waterkloof

The Restaurant at Waterkloof

• Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient
• The Shortmarket Club
• Springfontein Eats
• The Test Kitchen
• Thali
• The Werf Restaurant at Boschendal
• Wolfgat

For more information and to purchase tickets for the awards, visit eatout.co.za.

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The end of the year is always filled with functions and events. We spoke to some experts about what it takes to throw the perfect soirée.

Michael Chandler of Chandler House specialises in beautiful design and decor. We asked him what his secret is for event success.

I think there’s one golden rule that best sums up entertaining: Throw the kind of event you would want to attend. The event really should be an extension of your personality. Being exactly you is the very reason that people want to spend time with you at your event. So, if you like glamour – get out the silver. If you like serenity and elegance, keep things simple and streamlined. Or if you like colour and quirky, get creative! Hosting an event that is true to you and your personality will make you feel in charge, confident and comfortable, which your guests will feed off. There is nothing worse than going to an event where the host of the evening is stressed and running around like a headless chicken. My favourite events have been the ones where the hostess appears confident, looks like she’s having fun and is enjoying having you there.

Thinking of hiring a marquee? Downings Marquee Hiring offers a variety of options to cater for any event type. Here are four top tips:

1. Shop Around: There are so many different options when renting a “tent”. There are A-Frame marquees, bedouins, peg and poles, easy shades, and many others. It’s important that you know what the advantages and disadvantages of each option are. Different service providers will also have different quality products, so it’s very important that you do your research to get what you really want.
2. Visualise On Paper: The best way to know what size marquee you need is to create a realistic site layout of exactly what you want inside and around the marquee. If you are hosting a large function, trust the experts with this task; but if you are planning a smaller function, you can do this yourself by visiting the Downings website and creating your own on the DIY lay-out tool.
3. Be Creative: A marquee is much like a blank canvas, so be creative when deciding what your venue should look like. There are so many options that you can use to transform your space, but the use of specialised lighting and draping really makes a substantial impact.
4. The Sky Is The Limit: From adding a veranda and lounge pockets to tunnels connecting one area to the next, A-Frame marquees can be shaped and designed to suit your specific needs. Certain areas could have a see-through roof while others could have glass doors; platforms can be created to raise certain areas within the marquee, and so much more. It is always best to talk to the experts for advice and guidance.

Are you organising a large live event? Gearhouse give their expert advice on making sure everything runs smoothly on the big day.

• Meet, communicate and plan with everyone involved from the outset.
• Do a walk through at the venue with your suppliers so that there are no surprises… or fewer surprises, at least! How big is the venue, how high is the roof, where are entrances and exits?
• Take photos. Make sure that your supplier draws up layouts and visual renders. Once the set is in place, it is too late to make major changes.
• Listen to the venue managers. They know what works and what doesn’t in their venue.
• Ascertain what is included in the venue hire and what might entail extra costs.
• Know who your contacts are for all the different elements and establish a relationship with them – they are the specialists in their respective fields and should be working closely with you towards a common goal.
• Explain what your expectations and objectives are as clearly as possible. Your technical suppliers will be able to guide you on how to achieve them but the brief is all-important.
• Schedule everything in consultation with your suppliers. You don’t want everyone arriving at the same time: flowers, decor, technical, band, presenter and piano tuners each have their own requirements.
• Rehearsals and sound checks are vital to the success of your event.
• Expect last minute changes – events have a life of their own and you and your suppliers need to be able to roll with the punches, whether it is rain at an outdoor event, audience members delayed by traffic or a keynote speaker too ill to perform.

The post The Ultimate Event Planning Guide appeared first on Visi.

The Top 10 Restaurants

1. The Test Kitchen (Woodstock, Cape Town)

2. La Colombe (Constantia, Cape Town)

3. The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek)

4. Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel (Constantia, Cape Town)

5. Five Hundred at The Saxon Hotel (Sandton, Johannesburg)

6. The Restaurant at Waterkloof (Somerset West)

7. Restaurant Mosaic at The Orient (Elandsfontein, Pretoria)

8. Terroir (Stellenbosch)

9. The Pot Luck Club (Woodstock, Cape Town)

10. Jordan Restaurant (Stellenbosch)

Other awards included:

S.Pellegrino Chef of the Year: Scot Kirton of La Colombe

Service Excellence Award: The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français (Franschhoek)

Nederburg Rising Star: Carmen Muller of The Tasting Centre at Rupert & Rothschild(Franschhoek)

Wine Service Award: Lloyd Jusa at Five Hundred at The Saxon (Sandton, Johannesburg)

Lannice Snyman Lifetime Achievement Award (in association with Novus Holdings): Liz McGrath

Boschendal Style Award: Greenhouse at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel (Constantia, Cape Town)

Woolworths TASTE Eat Out Bursary: Charlton de Ruiter

The judges who worked alongside Eat Out Editor and Chief Judge Abigail Donnelly to determine this year’s winners were Jackie Cameron, Benny Masekwameng and Siba Mtongana. Find out more about the judges here.

Follow @Eat_Out on Twitter and search #eatoutawards for all the thrilling commentary from the event and visit Eat Out’s Instagram page @eatoutguide and Facebook page for photos of the awards lunch. This article was originally published on eatout.co.za.

The post WINNERS: 2015 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards appeared first on Visi.

Thinking of hiring a marquee? Downings Marquee Hiring offers a variety of options to cater for any event type. Here are four top tips:

1. Shop Around: There are so many different options when renting a “tent”. There are A-Frame marquees, bedouins, peg and poles, easy shades, and many others. It’s important that you know what the advantages and disadvantages of each option are. Different service providers will also have different quality products, so it’s very important that you do your research to get what you really want.

2. Visualise On Paper: The best way to know what size marquee you need is to create a realistic site layout of exactly what you want inside and around the marquee. If you are hosting a large function, trust the experts with this task; but if you are planning a smaller function, you can do this yourself by visiting the Downings website and creating your own on the DIY lay-out tool.

3. Be Creative: A marquee is much like a blank canvas, so be creative when deciding what your venue should look like. There are so many options that you can use to transform your space, but the use of specialised lighting and draping really makes a substantial impact.

4. The Sky Is The Limit: From adding a veranda and lounge pockets to tunnels connecting one area to the next, A-Frame marquees can be shaped and designed to suit your specific needs. Certain areas could have a see-through roof while others could have glass doors; platforms can be created to raise certain areas within the marquee, and so much more. It is always best to talk to the experts for advice and guidance.

For more information, visit downings.co.za.

Embarking on an event? Explore these interactive digital event communication tips from Fabriek.

1. Have Them at Hello: Sending an online invitation ALWAYS creates a lasting impression. Make sure your guests have all the information they need in one place. Include enticing images, video, a link to google maps for directions – or stand out as someone who promotes a sober driving policy by providing booking information for a taxi service. Just remember to talk about why the recipient will simply have to RSVP with an excited ‘YES!’.

2. Keep Them Engaged: Better options and bad weather are the top two excuses attendees give for non-attendance. Social media is a great way to sustain the delicious intrigue that snagged your invitation recipient in the very beginning. Create an event page and post tantalising teasers – your guests will be less tempted to ditch your do in lieu of a sofa snuggle or rugby + craft beer + bubbly with your bestie.

For more information, visit fabriek.co.za.

Looking to create an event with the wow-factor? Rainbow will design experiences to inspire.

The burning question when planning a special occasion is: Should I get help in producing the event or not?  Here, the most important factors to consider are:

–       the company’s credentials and expertise

–       their sphere of influence and what they can bring to the party!

–       Will they save money by leveraging discounts from suppliers?

Rainbow Experiential Marketing ticks all the boxes, as their specialty is world-class events, having recently staged the extraordinary 2014 Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Restaurant Awards.

Established in 1994, Rainbow has produced countless events for massive crowds of 100 000 or superb events for 10 guests. Their recipe to success is simple – equal measures of innovation and organisation.

Alison McCutcheon, founder member and creative director of Rainbow says: “Our lives are measured by milestones, marked by celebratory events whether business, leisure or pleasure. At Rainbow we specialise in memorable productions by creating unique experiences designed to inspire, enthrall and entertain.”

For more information, visit rainbowexperientialmarketing.com.

The post Event Planning Guide appeared first on Visi.