MY FANTASY SUNDAY LUNCH

He would have writer Ernest Hemingway, musician Neil Young and a few of his favourite people over

My guests would include: Fergus Henderson — Fergus is not only my mentor but a fantastic dining companion. His appetite and appreciation of food and wine is amazing and his stories are some of the best. Ernest Hemingway — During my time in London I travelled extensively on the continent. Everywhere I went I would make it a point to seek out a Hemingway jaunt. Be it in Paris, Spain, Venice or even in the Caribbean. Marcel Proust — Being French I would hope Marcel would be able to enlighten me on the culture I am so envious of, and maybe enjoy a madeleine moment. My late father Andrew Edwards, who never knew that I realised my dream job at St John, one of his favourite restaurants in London, never mind the formation of my restaurant, La Tête in Cape Town. Neil Young — Just on the off chance there might be a harmonica moment at the end of the meal.

We’d talk about many things. Hemingway would arrive early and I would question him about his travels and boast about where I had travelled in his footsteps over a good Negroni. Proust would share his subtle philosophic take on the world and hopefully make reference to the madeleines.

Fergus, oh boy. I know he’d arrive in his tailored butcher’s striped three-piece suit and be thirsty. Neil Young, the odd one out, but imagine he’d pull out his harmonica and settle his nerves with a few lyrics and maybe a bourbon. My father would feel at home and I would like to think we would discuss the past eight years of my life.

My wife Kathryn would certainly be there as well as our two boys. My mother and I know James (my brother) wouldn’t miss out on this lunch.

I’m not sure about Neil but everyone else appreciates fine things so I would keep the menu simple. Starters would be vitello tonnato with crusty bread served with a beautiful semillon wine followed by slow-braised beef shin gnocchi, which I cook most Sundays for my wife and anyone around. Some great pinot noir or grenache will go nicely with that.

Dessert at home is not really my thing, so it would be an amazing cheese board, madeleines and coffee.

The washing up? My mother has this nifty habit of saying, ‘’Leave that, I’ll do it in the morning.”

La Tête, 17 Bree St, Cape Town Tel: 021 418 1299