The Lost Ingredients at the Palace of the Lost City
Anyone who knows me well knows that I find some of my greatest inspirations by revisiting nostalgic places and experiences from my past. There’s something about the memories of a certain time or place in our lives that can stir the senses and help us connect with the parts of ourselves that make us feel the most alive. For many of us these happy chapters are linked to a period of exploration or a getaway from our day-to-day lives, so when the Palace of the Lost City asked me to consult on an elevated culinary offering I was thrilled to revisit an iconic South African experience that so many of us associate with fond vacation memories.
I knew immediately that I wanted the updated experience to focus on some of South Africa’s most integral flavours. Through this exciting collaboration guests at the Palace can now experience an updated breakfast offering in the Crystal Court, along with a new mouthwatering tray service, embarking on a culinary journey celebrating ancient indigenous and heritage hero ingredients
This collaboration explores the culinary heritage of South Africa by incorporating ingredients like Amaranth, Cleome, Jew’s Mallow and Cowpea. These taste treasures, often ignored in the hustle and bustle of modernity, flourish within the Palace of the Lost City and the surrounding Pilanesberg region. Their waterwise resilience honours ancestral culinary cultures and nurtures sustainable future foodways.
The new Crystal Court breakfast buffet launches with a spotlight on heirloom corn and other types of maize that shape South African cuisine. The new offering honours how corn is consumed in various forms, from traditional pap to contemporary dishes, celebrating its cultural significance, its role in local food security, and its versatility in recipes. This theme is beautifully displayed in the elaborate installations in the Crystal Court, and the contrast of this humble ingredient in an opulent setting elevates it to its well-deserved pedestal.
This new collaboration opens alongside a restoration of the Crystal Court dining area with beautiful updates to the architecture, enhanced landscaping and a revitalised interior design to create a blend of historical charm and contemporary style.
Watch this space, this is just the beginning, and regular guests of The Palace can look forward to exciting updates as we highlight new ingredients with the natural change of the seasons.
Overnight guests at The Palace of the Lost City are invited to enjoy the Crystal Court breakfast buffet included with their stay, and can also order from our à la carte tray menu at an additional charge.
