Celebrity television adventure cook Justin Bonello and multi award-winning chef Michael Broughton of Terroir Restaurant are teaming up for a once-off duo appearance as they prepare a lunch of note for food and wine enthusiasts on November 30.
In an event that has been dubbed Bonello & Broughton's Big Lunch, these two amiable chefs invite the public to an exclusive luncheon, which will see the dynamic duo create a 3-course food and wine paired menu for diners in association with Kleine Zalze Wines.
This special occasion is in a sense a reunion for Justin and Michael as they recently teamed up for an episode of Justin's new series, Cooked: Out Of The Frying Pan .
Justin and Michael are both well known in their own right: Justin for his cookery and travel shows on international television and Michael for consistently keeping Terroir at its Top 10 restaurant status since opening in 2005.
"Michael was one of the chefs I was most intimidated to work with for my new series," says Justin. "You don't end up as one of the best chefs with one of the best restaurants in South Africa without being a little hard core and very specific. With Michael, there are no half measures."
Michael says it was a fun experience right from the beginning: "We just clicked - no rehearsals necessary, and hardly any 'take twos'. Justin is so good at what he does; he was not trying to be me and I was not trying to be him and it comes across in the show," he says.
"I don't feel he was intimidated by me at all," he laughs.
Bonello says when he first arrived he was very nervous of Broughton but as the days passed, he realised he had the skills and just had to learn the methodology. "And once I did that it was relatively plain sailing I just hope I never get asked to make the scallops again," he says.
"Sometimes I find myself running through all the steps it took to create that one very complicated dish - kind of like that nightmare where you're falling. Know what I mean?"
Broughton proved to be a patient mentor, guiding Bonello through the elaborate scallop dish with truffled corn, gnocchi and bacon foam - a far cry from what Bonello is used to making.
"He was quick to pick up on what our style was all about and listened well when instructed and shown what to do - he admittedly learned a lot about the finer details that 'makes the plate'," says Broughton.
A professional kitchen is no place for sissies and Bonello earned Broughton's respect during his time there: "He coped well with the pressure we had put him under - it was over 30 degrees in the kitchen that day, we did 60 covers for lunch and he worked (and sweated) his backside off!"
Filming the episode was great fun for everyone involved. "In fact there was a general feeling of sadness amongst all his and my staff when the last day dawned and we started the wrap scene," says Michael.
"The two of us got on so well, I think because we were at ease with each other and felt relaxed just doing what we both love - him on TV, me cooking and teaching. It would be fun to do some more with him!"
- Cooked: Out of the Frying Pan airs on DStv's BBC Lifestyle channel from Friday 22 October 2010 at 8.25pm. Justin and Michael can be seen working together at Terroir on episode 7.
- To secure your table at Bonello & Broughton's Big Lunch call Terroir Restaurant on 021 880-8167 or email [email protected]. The 3-course lunch paired with Kleine Zalze wines is priced at R500 per person. Bookings are essential.