MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Willem and Heidi de Jager, the power couple behind ReedValley, have been awarded an accolade that justifies this winery and venue's place on the must-visit list of Mossel Bay and surrounds.
At a prestigious event hosted at the classy Broughton Country Estate in Port Elizabeth last Saturday, 15 September, Heidi and Willem were awarded chef de table and professionnel du vin respectively by the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, an international guild for experts in all things culinary.
With its foundation dating back as far as 1249 under French King Louis XI, it was originally an establishment of several professional guilds including that of the Ayeurs or "goose roasters". Its purpose was to improve the technical knowledge of its members: apprentices, tradesmen and masters.
Evolving over centuries, La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs - the International Association of Gastronomy - today is a constantly developing and expanding society, represented in all five continents.
Heidi and Willem are not the only locals to have been bestowed these elite titles. Lynette Whittaker, co-owner of ReedValley and founder-owner of Grindstone Advertising, along with a business partner, Jan van Deventer, were also awarded professionnel du vin titles. Whittaker in fact, true to her character of being an initiator, submitted the De Jagers' entries to become Chaîne des Rôtisseurs members.
As Whittaker explains, being accepted into this elite organisation, is no mean feat. Applicants must attend several Chaîne des Rôtisseurs events and host one themselves to be given the final heads up. This, according to Whittaker, is a nerve-wracking experience.
This accolade for Whittaker comes timeously as Whittaker and Van Deventer are ready to launch their much anticipated Eden Wine Route.
This endeavour is the fruit of Whittaker's labour of the past six years. Surprisingly, there are about 45 wine estates in the Eden District, some of which are now included on the wine route. The project currently boasts three mini routes, each with its own unique offering.
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