The Table of Peace and Unity is a unique, annual event on Table Mountain in a spectacular location, high up, with sweeping views of Cape Town.

Taking place on 12 May 2013, three of our chefs—Peter Tempelhoff, Delia Harbottle and Gerald van der Walt—will cook up a storm for 700 people seated at one long table.

The lunch is held to raise funds for organisations working with abused, vulnerable and orphaned children across South Africa.

We asked Gerald van der Walt some questions:

What can diners expect this year?
We have done this event a few times previously, and having some experience with the logistics has encouraged us to try and be more creative than what we have been in the past. We are doing a beetroot and artichoke press, rosemary and goat’s cheese mousse (which we are dipping in an apricot jelly), almond praline, celeriac remoulade and an apple and celery salad. The flavours work well together, so no risk there, but some of the components call for a bit of skill and will need to be executed properly, requiring planning beforehand; it should be interesting!

What does it mean to you to be a part of an event like this?
Of course it is such a privilege to be involved, but we were speaking to Christine Cashmore [the organiser of the event] the other day, and she gave us a breakdown of all the good they have done with the funds that have been raised since its inception, and well, it puts it into perspective; to be involved in any way that we can, feels great, but knowing that we are helping in some small way and to be a part of giving these underprivileged children something they would otherwise not have had, is very rewarding.

What are you in particular looking forward to?
Waking up at four in the morning to start getting ready… Only kidding; there is a lot to look forward to, it is such a great event. The first time you lay eyes on the massive marquee tent you can’t help but wonder how they pull it off every year, that sunrise on top of the mountain as you prepare your dishes is truly special, getting together with your peers and helping them with their dishes and them doing the same in return, sending out the last plates and knowing that you have done all you could to make it as close to perfect as you possibly can. The list goes on.

Do you think it’s going to be tough cooking on a mountain? How have you guys prepared for this outdoor cooking adventure?
As chefs it’s always difficult to be taken from your kitchen and cook some place else, especially if where you are cooking has no permanent kitchen facilities, but this event is always so well organised it seems to just happen. Yes it takes a lot of preparation and hard work to get it all done, but it’s all planning, and we have started weeks ago, trying to think of every scenario and how we can assure that it will be yet another special event.

Tickets are available from Computicket. Contact The Table of Peace and Unity at 021-702-2280 or email kristi@fieramilano.co.za for more information.

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