\nStarter: Orange | Main: Zest | Dessert: Doppio Zero | Overall: Doppio Zero. We had a chat with the respective figureheads of these esteemed establishments, and found out a little of what makes this event a must-do for these well-known local eateries every year.<\/p>\n
Orange This year\u2019s winning dish was a scrumptiously tasty salmon roulade. The Orange team stuck to the Rio theme to make it visually stunning, it was a bright, vibrant taste experience. Lee-Ann believes that teamwork is what puts Orange in the top three. \u201cMy team are always incredible at pulling together and making each year memorable. We truly have fun doing this, and it is near to all our hearts, which makes it that much greater to take part,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n Zest<\/strong> Their main consisted of a feijoada, vinagrete, coxinha\/pork belly with black bean stew, Brazilian vinaigrette salsa and croquette – a classic Brazilian dish with a Zest twist. They are no strangers to themed dinners. They have a monthly wine tasting where guests get to pair a variety of food and wines. GT believes the secret to their success is in the consistency of their food, and the fact that they keep abreast of current trends, locally and abroad. \u201cAfter all,\u201d he says, \u201cthey say you are only as good as your last meal.\u201d<\/p>\n Doppio Zero<\/strong> They experimented in-house before deciding on their dishes, and their menu was decided on after careful consideration. Their winning dish was a cheesecake with marshmallow fluff and berry compote, with a focus on fresh ingredients, baked on the day of the event. \u201cWe believe in guests, not customers,\u201d says Alistair. \u201cThe Doppio Zero policy is to reflect passion and innovation through our food.\u201d<\/p>\n Photographer: BELINDA ERASMUS<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The annual Night of 1000 Stars is an event that Lowvelders clamour to be a part of. Always glitzy and glamorous, it really is an evening of fun, food and festivity, with the added bonus of being all about giving, as the event raises funds for CANSA. The theme this year was Rio Rhythms, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":2891,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[738],"tags":[503,303,501,502,117,68,73,313,309],"class_list":{"0":"post-2889","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-food-wine","8":"tag-doppiozero","9":"tag-foodie","10":"tag-nightof1000stars","11":"tag-zest","12":"tag-cansa","13":"tag-charity","14":"tag-getitlowveld","15":"tag-orange","16":"tag-winners"},"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/strong>Lee-Ann Heine van Zweel and her staff put their hearts into everything, and it shows. They have participated in Night of 1000 Stars since its inception, cancer having impacted on the lives of almost everyone in some way, making it a cause close to Lee-Ann\u2019s heart. Orange has a certain flair, and this comes through in the dishes they prepare, although they do see the event as an opportunity to try something a little new. The food is created to fit in with the theme, and the entire team get behind the effort to ensure creative, upmarket dishes are offered to their guests.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2019\/12\/DSC_0020-02.jpg\")
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\nGT Lundie and Zest are no strangers to the Lowveld food scene. Zest has participated since 2007, and having suffered the loss of his dad to cancer last year, GT supports CANSA whenever possible. GT and his team adapt their dishes to suit the subject; it\u2019s a great time to try new recipes and cuisine, especially from different countries.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2019\/12\/DSC_0050-01.jpg\")
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\nThey are the new kid on the block, and despite never having done a Night of 1000 Stars dinner before, they got into the swing of things very quickly. Alistair Chadwick, manager at Doppio Zero, jumped at the chance to take part for a number of reasons. Apart from it being for a good cause (Doppio Zero does a fair amount of charity work as a brand), being a part of the community is imperative, as far as Alistair is concerned. The Doppio Zero policy is one of no compromise when it comes to quality, and a definite feather in their cap is that they cater for everyone.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/lowveld\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/24\/2019\/12\/DSC_0103.jpg\")
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