admin on May 15 2009 at 5:36 pm | Filed under: newsletter
Monthly newsletter – May 2009
Our first newsletter
Welcome to the world of Kassia & Figg, our family-owned artisan deli and eatery. We take a wholesome, old-fashioned approach to what we do, so it seems only right that this introductory newsletter is just that – a proper introduction.
Lovely to meet you…
Kassia & Figg has already been open for five months, and we are delighted that our little seaside artisan deli and eatery is going from strength to strength. If we haven’t met yet, you’ll find us in a happy cloud of freshly baked aromas in the wonderful old building opposite the Dalebrook pool in Kalk Bay. With winter here, we’ve extended our opening times from 9am till 6pm (to give you time between the end of work and home to pick up home-cooked dinner, freshly baked treats, or pre-ordered catering), Tuesday to Sunday. We’re predominantly a deli, but our cosy café and outside courtyard with views of sea and mountain are welcoming places to while away the time while savouring delicious organic cappuccinos and cakes, breakfast or lunch.
If you don’t manage to nab a parking right outside, there is a large secure parking area just 50 metres away (on the left hand side if you are heading towards Kalk Bay).
For those of you who navigate with actual addresses rather than whimsical landmarks: 22 Dalebrook Place, Main Road, Kalk Bay. Phone: 021 788 3337
And our web address where you’ll find updated news and our pre-order menu is www. vanielje.com (click on Kassia & Figg).
Why do we call ourselves ‘artisan’?
At Kassia & Fig deli stands for delicious – its what we strive for in everything we cook and bake, and we believe it is well worth the extra time and effort to make all our food from scratch, using fresh, freerange and organic ingredients as often as possible. We draw inspiration from what’s seasonal and from dearly loved old family recipe books and bake everything by hand, in small batches with no pre-mixes, preservatives or pretensions.
What an interesting name you have…
Yes, indeed. We chose our name after the matriarch of our family Kassie Watrobski, who owned Jonkershuis restaurant on the Groot Constantia Estate for more than 20 years. Kassie retired three years ago, but an irrepressible creative both in and out of the kitchen, she found herself looking for a place to express her ideas in her own inimitable style. We spotted this space with its old-fashioned shop front on a bright sunny day when the sea opposite was sparkling, and thought we may have found the spot. As we pondered the possibility a whale leapt out of the sea right in front of us, and our minds were made up. And Figg? Well, Kassie always seems to have had a fig tree in the places she loves, so this was our way of conjuring one up for her, to make her feel right at home.
Mmmmmm, looks delicious…
Thanks, we’re lapping up all the compliments we’ve been getting from both customers and the press, because we live to cook, eat and bake, and our daily offerings reflect this passion. We started Kassia & Figg with the idea that we wanted to be purveyors of pure enchantment. Kassie is a chef with vast experience, while Inge, her daughter, works as a freelance private chef & consultant between South Africa and England, and has an award-winning food blog (visit www.vanielje.com). Whilst food is really important to us, we’re not wild about menus that take themselves too seriously. Our baking table groans with oven-fresh cakes, cakes and more cakes, as well as cupcakes, tarts, flans, biscuits, pies, quiches, loaves of bread and whatever else we feel like cooking on that particular day. Our menu board changes weekly, daily, hourly, along with the weather, the seasons and our whim, and our delectable breakfasts and lunches are all the more delicious for being infused with fresh enthusiasm. At Kassia & Figg we cook as if we’re cooking for people we love in our own home – and our kitchen is tiny – so come relaxed knowing that your anticipation will be rewarded. Enjoy a delicious organic coffee while you wait, chat or read the newspaper, and please do help yourself to something delicious from the baking table if you need instant gratification in the interim.
Hot off the press…
We’re so proud of the good press we’ve been getting that we’ve stuck it up in our shop window for the world to see.
The May issue of Elle Decoration (issue 61, on shelf now) features us in their food news pages, saying “Kassia & Figg is fast gaining a name as one of the most delicious breakfast spots on the peninsula” and Inge, looking glamorous as the star of a family photo, is this issue’s ‘Featured Foodie’ in Garden & Home. You’ll find some of our favourite, most delicious recipes revealed in the magazine.
Do you make home-cooked food to take home?
Oh yes, most of what we make at the deli can be taken out – its convenience food that’s utterly wholesome and ready to go. For larger portions for family or larger party gatherings we are more than happy to take orders if you give us at least 24-hours notice so that we have time to get it ready for you to collect. We also bake wholesome and delicious fare for teas, and with plenty of experience we know just what to create for children’s parties. You can pop into the deli or visit our website www.vanielje.com to see our pre-order menu and prices. Staples include seasonal vegetable tarts, our famous freerange chicken and field mushroom pie, freerange beef bobotie, freerange chicken liver and calvados pate as well as giant cheese and pesto muffins, while fairy cakes, meringues and pavlovas (all made with freerange eggs, of course) will keep those with a sweet tooth very happy. As is our style, our menu is flexible so please chat to us if you have special requests.
No orders will be accepted via email, but Kassie or Inge will be pleased to chat to you in person, or if you call 021 788 3337
Creative customer of the month
This month London-based photographer Dee Purdy took some time out in Kalk Bay to catch her breath and soak up some sleepy village charm. Her last day of holiday was grey and rainy – weather which makes for cosy coffee and brunch at Kassia & Figg. She took some photographs between cappuccinos and we’re thrilled with the pictures she kindly emailed through to us. We’re even thinking of getting some postcards printed in time. We’ve attached a few at the top of this newsletter to give you a brief glimpse into our artisan deli and eatery.
If you would like to be sent our free monthly newsletter please email kassia.figg@vanielje.com
Thank you for reading and we hope to see you soon at Kassia & Figg.
Hey there.
was amazed to learn about your place when I was messing around in the net. Will have to pop in when I am in CT in June later this year.
Hope you are both doing well and your place, looks awesome
All the best
Frank Stollberg