Chef worked for Harry Potter actress
Mossel Bay resident Suzaan Rauch (36) has worked for actress Emma Watson (30), famous for her role in the Harry Potter film series.
Watson was the character Hermione Granger, one of Harry Potter's best friends. There were eight films in the series.
Suzaan tells the Mossel Bay Advertiser about this remarkable experience.
How did it come about that you worked for Emma?
It was November 2017. I was working as a freelance private chef in Cape Town, when a friend who owned an agency approached me about a last-minute job for an extremely high-profile client. I did not know whom it would be until after I committed to the job. Emma was visiting South Africa for two weeks. We got on very well and she asked if I’d be interested in visiting her overseas.
After about six months of visa troubles, I left for London. From there we went to Los Angeles, where I spent most of my time working for her - about two years. I returned to South Africa last year, just after Christmas.
How was it, working for her?
Oh, it was such an incredible experience! Emma is such a delightful and loving person, who constantly strives to improve people’s lives. She just wants everyone to love themselves and be confident in whatever they do.
Which types of foods did she enjoy? Did she entertain a lot?
Emma did not entertain that much. She is a private person and was more drawn to family and friends. She loved the simple things, her favourite foods being lasagne; beef stew; creamy gnocchi with loads of nutmeg and bacon; chocolate chip banana bread; and flapjacks. I enjoyed cooking for her and her family and friends. The food always had to be homely and unpretentious.
Tell us something about Emma that people might not know.
Emma is an incredible artist and a good baker. The almond amaretti cake she made for me just blew me away. She is also highly involved in human rights and especially women’s rights. I can assure you she has a sincere passion for these - more so than for acting.
Are you Mossel Bay born and bred?
I was born in Cape Town, but bred in the Bay from the age of four.
Where did you train as a chef?
The lovely Warwick’s Chef Training School in the magical, little Onrus-Hermanus area.
How long have you been back in Mossel Bay? What brought you back?
I came back in February this year, just before the lockdown. My husband started a job here and we have always dreamt of a simple life.
What is your goal with your cooking and your restaurant?
My goal is to create something special around food. I feel meals are what the best memories are made of and I simply want to share my passion for all the wonderful different flavours I experienced over years of travelling in Europe and other places. I feel no one should miss out on the beauty of all the wonderful flavours we have been blessed to enjoy.
What are your goals, dreams and ambitions?
My current goal is to learn about and understand as much and as quickly as possible about the business side of things so I can just calm down and enjoy the process.
My dream is to never stop dreaming. I will always dream about new things and currently, amid all the chaos, I think I am living one of my dreams.
When I’m calmer and wiser and all grown up, I would love to create an opportunity for underprivileged women who are passionate about food to learn more about it. I see it now in my kitchen: I am more excited when I see someone learning a new technique, such as making mayonnaise, pesto or hummus, than they are. It makes me so happy.
What is your advice for those pursuing a culinary career?
Adopt the attitude that you will never know everything about food, and that’s ok. It is a field where you will always have the opportunity to learn exciting, new things. It's colourful, fun and flavourful. It's just like life.