Smoke & Fire: An Evening of South African Fire Cooking

This summer we’re bringing out the big guns at our one and only Smoke & Fire dining experience. Two chefs, six courses and 1 lekker evening . All of it cooked on fire. All of it rooted in South Africa.

Our executive chef Dane Barnard will be joining forces with Western Cape-based executive chef Louise Gillett for an evening of South African culinary exploration: bold flavours, smoke-kissed textures and produce pulled straight from the farm.

After a glass of sparkling wine, we're rolling out a 6-course South African menu. From snoek doughnuts with smoked labneh and peri peri roasted almonds, to torch-kissed watermelon carpaccio with feta, mint chutney and biltong crumb - this is South African fire cooking at its finest. Expect fish with sweet potato, noodle salad, spanspek and jalapeño crunch, as well as pressed confit lamb neck with charred mealies, pickled tomato and a duck rosemary jus, and a closing evaporated milk flan with caramelised peach and aniseed ice cream. Bold, smoky, and unapologetically South African. Scroll down for the full menu.

Louise is one of South Africa’s most celebrated culinary figures, having spent decades cooking with the land - not just on it. As Executive Chef she draws on South African farm cooking, Cape Malay heritage, Afrikaner tradition, and the classical French techniques to create something entirely her own: food that is honest, terroir-driven, and deeply rooted in place. Her Smoke & Fire experience - fire-cooked food - is the spirit of the braai elevated into something you don't forget quickly. A published author and passionate teacher, Louise believes great food should be shared, understood, and celebrated. This July, she brings that fire to London.

Our very own executive Chef Dane Barnard has been cooking by instinct since he was fifteen. The UK's first Level 4 certified Green Chef in hospitality, he brings a whole-animal, flavour-first philosophy to Vivat Bacchus - South African heritage flavours, British seasonal produce, and nothing wasted.

Because this isn’t just a dinner, it’s a fiery love letter to South Africa.

Scroll down to see the fullmenu. Please email [email protected] if you have any dietary requirements.

Please note that our events are non-refundable and non-transferable

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Host or Publisher Vivat Bacchus