Almay Jordaan
South African chef Almay Jordaan has called Melbourne her home for the last 13 years. Originally studying cookery in the Cape Winelands, she has been cooking in restaurants in Cape Town, London & Melbourne for the last 20 years.
Originally trained in the French culinary repertoire, her South African roots and subsequent travels now influence her creation of new dishes, and the style of the menus at the two restaurants she co-owns with her husband Simon Denman.
Professionally, her food is aimed at matching and complementing the extensive wine lists Simon creates at the restaurants. Strict adherence to the seasonal use of Victorian ingredients is a given.
At Neighbourhood Wine, the food has more of a bistro approach and reflects her classical training in a modern Australian environment, whilst at the more recent Old Palm Liquor, the cooking is done over fire, on a custom-built braai, South-African style barbecue, just like the one Almay grew up with in her home country.
At home, cooking is more focused towards her small family, although no week goes without a braai!