The taste of love

ROMANCE: CHEFS TAKE THE PLUNGE

First-date restaurant inspires the name of their own venue.

It’s been captured in film, art, music and prose – food is the language of love. It seems to be one of those human forces that bind us together – we can’t escape the charms of enjoying a meal with someone.

Just ask Simone Vosloo and Allan Bezuidenhout.

Back in 2011, Bezuidenhout and Vosloo enrolled at Capsicum Culinary Studio’s Port Elizabeth campus.

A few days later they found themselves in the same practical class. The attraction was almost instant but it took Bezuidenhout a few months to build up the nerve to ask Vosloo out on a coffee date.

The couple graduated in 2012 and a year later got married.

Now, the Bezuidenhouts are running Muse, a successful restaurant in Port Elizabeth.

So how did food help these two to fall in love?

We have always wanted to open our own restaurant. Simone drove past an open shop in the restaurant hub of Stanley Street. She came home and said that we should have a look into opening up there.

I was not too sure of doing it. It felt risky to leave the securities of a corporate chef job. We made an appointment with the landlord and had a look at the spot.

Somehow everything fell into place and we opened Muse on November 10, 2015.

It derives from another restaurant where we had our first proper date. The restaurant’s name was Amaze. We liked the short and impactful name it had and we said we wanted something similar. We chose Muse because it means inspiration to an artist. So we, as chefs, are also artists with plates as our canvass and produce as our paint. Food is our inspiration. Simone: Ice cream. Allan: Whatever Simone cooks.

But you don’t have to go to culinary school to find a love story. Here are some other options:

This Magaliesburg gem is the ideal place to take your Valentine this month.

A special pampered weekend for romantics takes place February 17 and 18, with sparkling wine, chocolates and a sprinkling of rose petals in the rooms. The blue- billed firefinch Valentine’s twonight package is valid throughout February and includes dinner, bed and breakfast, as well as a romantic surprise. Guests will also each receive a R500 Spa voucher. Go to valleylodge.co.za for more info

Make this Valentine’s Day more special with a romantic dinner. This three-course meal is sure to wow. It’s only R880 per couple. For more info visit radissonblu.com. – Citizen Reporter