I'm still reeling from tragic death of Belgian restaurateur Denis Bouckaert in a car accident last week. Den Anker at the Waterfront was a client of mine for many years and Denis and his wife Liez became friends. Denis would have been pleased that so many turned out to honour him at yesterday's memorial service. The Belgian Ambassador said he thought of Denis as part of the diplomatic corps and had he wanted to, he could have had a career in politics. Denis' passion was for beer and food and his ability to make everyone with whom he came into contact feel special, legendary. Rejeanne and Doekle Vlietman, the manager and chef at Den Anker were an extension of Denis' family. When Lies told me yesterday that Den Anker would continue as before I knew that under their guidance, Den Anker would always be the special place it is. Salute Denis, I'll miss you.
Cape Times Assistant Editor Colin Howell's death on Thursday last week was untimely. Although we weren't buddies, I was fond of him and found him always willing to hear a PR pitch or to indicate his disinterest in whatever I was promoting. Many tributes have flowed in from fellow journalists but I want to register a tribute on behalf of the PR industry. We have lost an ally in Colin. He was a newsman who recognised that we too could offer something and his dealings with us proved that.
Marut Sikka, the uber chef from Delhi, India has cooked up a storm at the Radisson Hotel, Waterfront. As part of the Indian High Commission's Indian Experience Programme, the Radisson is dishing up Indian cuisine like no other local restaurant. This promotion runs until Sunday and already it is almost fully booked. The mushroom stuffed ricotta balls in a tomato sauce is heavenly so too are the yoghurt marinated prawns done on the braai.
While I was stuffing my face (my colleague Graham Howe even commented on my prodigious appetite) my friends Mandy and Roger Neale-May were giving birth to Lauren Kelly. It was exactly a year ago that the three of us were dining at the Indian experience at the Radisson. Maybe Marut's food is good for more than just the appetite.