In previous editions of Local Life, Chef Shane Sauvage, multi-award winning chef and owner of La Pentola restaurant in Hermanus, has been kind enough to let us share some of his recipes. 

With a culinary career spanning 40 years, Shane specialises in international cuisine with South African flavours and has been dubbed by critics as ”The Father of South African Fusion Cuisine”. 

This festive season, impress your guests with Shane's Filleto Marcello and Parma Ham Potatoes. From his book ‘Infusion’, it is a great meal choice for a Christmas lunch or a New Year’s Eve dinner.

Filleto Marcello and Parma Ham Potatoes (serves 6)

INGREDIENTS

Fillet

900g beef (6 x150g), seasoned with paprika

40ml Morgenster extra virgin olive oil

15ml chopped garlic

10g crushed fresh bay leaves

Steamed green beans for serving

Sauce

50ml red onion, finely chopped

3 whole small cloves garlic

30ml olive oil

200g portabellini mushrooms

1ml black pepper

250ml port

200ml fresh cream

Parma ham potatoes

100g melted butter

4 potatoes, peeled, sliced with a potato peeler

Parma or Bayonne ham

Grated parmesan cheese

METHOD

For the fillet

Rub the seasoned fillet with olive oil, garlic and bay leaves. Cover with clingwrap and leave to marinade for 2 to 3 hours. Cook the meat on a hot braai to your preference. To further enhance the flavours, add some bay leaves on the fire while the meat is cooking.

For the sauce

In a pan, fry the onions and garlic in olive oil until the onions brown. Add the mushrooms, as they begin to cook. Add the port. Reduce by half and strain, discarding the excess mushrooms, onion and garlic (this can be added to fresh cream to make a pasta sauce). Add the cream and reduce further until the sauce thickens.

For the Parma ham potatoes

Preheat the oven to 180°C. 

Soak the sliced potatoes in water to remove the starch. After 30 minutes rinse the potatoes under cold water and strain. Grease 6 oven-proof bowls, 7–10cm in diameter. Spoon 5ml butter into each bowl, and place a layer of potatoes in each. Add Parma ham to layer the potatoes. Spoon butter over lightly. Layer again with potatoes. Spoon butter over again. Repeat the above until all the potatoes and butter are used. Place in an oven dish and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the bowls from the oven. Sprinkle grated cheese over the potatoes. Place back in the oven to brown the cheese. Remove from the oven. Tip bowls upside down to remove potato florets.

TO SERVE

Serve the meat on steamed green beans, top with sauce and crown with Parma ham potatoes.

La Pentola and Shane, along with his family, continue to support organisations such as the African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary. They also raise eco-awareness by only stocking Tessies Genuine Mineral Water at the restaurant. Tessies, who supply the Overberg area, safely sanitise and reuse their glass bottles, and the water is bottled directly at the source. Nothing is sent to landfills which means that 70 tonnes (equivalent to 175 000 bottles) of glass are saved from landfills every year. Learn more about Tessies at www.tessieswater.co.za.

At the young age of 22 years old, Tarek Smith has already achieved a remarkable amount in the world of sports and fitness. From his early days as a promising rugby player to his current role as a Strength and Conditioning (S&C) coach for the Sanlam Boland Dames women’s rugby team, Tarek’s passion lies in helping individuals of all ages improve their physical performance and well-being. 

Tarek’s rugby career began to flourish in 2018 during his Grade 10 year at Hermanus High School. That year, he was invited to play in the Grant Khomo Week for U16s and joined South Africa’s Elite Player Development programme, which provided opportunities to enhance his skills. In 2019, as a Grade 11 student, he was selected for Craven Week and then the World School’s Festival where he played for the Asia Pacific Dragons, representing a mixed team of players from South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. 

His rugby dreams faced significant challenges in 2020 when the pandemic disrupted his matric year, however, he still received offers from national and international rugby clubs and teams, as well as a full sports bursary from North West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom. Following his mother’s advice, he accepted the offer from NWU, deciding to balance his rugby aspirations with academics.

In 2021, Tarek attended NWU, pursuing a Human Movement Science degree while playing for the university’s rugby team, the Leopards’ U20 provincial side, and the Varsity Cup squad. Unfortunately, persistent injuries forced him to step away from rugby later that year, ending his scholarship and prompting a return to Hermanus after the end of the academic year. Despite this setback, Tarek’s passion for sport and fitness remained undiminished.

The following year, he continued his studies, completing the Strength and Conditioning Coach Course at Trifocus Fitness Academy. Tarek began personal training at ProActive Fitness shortly after receiving his qualification, working with clients of all ages. 

In 2023, wanting to complete the degree that he had begun in university, Tarek decided to enrol in the three-year Bachelor of Exercise: Sport Science program at ETA College in Stellenbosch. ETA recognised his first year of studies at NWU and allowed him to start as a second-year student. During this time, Tarek also expanded his skill set by completing a Sports Massage course through EDUept, integrating recovery-focused techniques into his practice. Balancing studies and work commitments, Tarek continued personal training in Hermanus three days a week while living in Stellenbosch, financing his education through a student loan and part-time work.

Earlier this year, Tarek’s career took a significant leap when he joined the Sanlam Boland Dames as their S&C coach. The opportunity arose when the previous S&C coach left, recommending Tarek. He quickly made an impact, identifying recovery challenges among players and offering his expertise to the team as a sports masseuse. In between his time with the SBD, Tarek still offers his personal training and sports massage sessions to private clients.  

During the rugby season, Tarek’s daily schedule with the SBD starts with morning general fitness and conditioning sessions followed by high-intensity training at the gym, and field training tailored to game-specific needs. The day usually ends with an evening team session where he warms up the players for their practice with their head coach. 

The SBD players have done extremely well this year, placing third in the Women’s Premier Division. Seven of the women also formed part of the 2024 Springboks Women’s team, with some of them also playing for the Women’s Sevens team (two of whom formed part of the South African team that played in the Paris Olympics).  

In October 2024, Tarek represented Boland at a conference on women’s rugby at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS). There, he had the opportunity to learn from industry leaders such as Obakeng Molopyane (Head of Athletic Performance for the Springbok women's sevens team) and Naasier Parker (Head S&C coach for the Springbok Women’s fifteens team). 

At the beginning of December, he was also invited to join the screening and fitness assessments in Stellenbosch for potential Springbok women’s players, as then last week attended another conference at SAS for coaches.

Looking ahead, Tarek plans to once again further his qualifications by completing his certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® and a Certified Special Population Specialist® through the National Strength and Conditioning Association of America. These certifications will enable him to design specialised programs for athletes and individuals with unique fitness needs. 

By 2026, Tarek aims to begin a master’s degree at the Setanta Institute, which will provide him with an internationally recognised qualification and possibly position him among South Africa’s most qualified S&C professionals by 2028.

Despite his ambitions, Tarek remains humble and deeply rooted in the Overstrand. He continues to offer personal training and sports massage services through at-home visits, Dial-a-Physio, and referrals from Brett Mason Physiotherapy. His loyalty to the SBD is steadfast, with aspirations to remain part of the team for the foreseeable future.

Find Tarek on Instagram at TS Training & Recovery, or call/WhatsApp him on 066 221 8040 for more information and to book personal training and sports massage sessions. He will be available throughout the holidays but is closed on 25 December and 1 January in order to spend time with family, however will attend to emergency massage calls.

Ask anyone in Hermanus where to find the best soft serve ice cream and their answer is likely to be the same – the "ice cream man" at Onrus beach. The ice cream, served from a vintage 1979 VW Kombi, evokes childhood memories of holidays spent at the beach. 

Named 'Sweet Moments Ice Cream', the beachside ice cream truck has been operational since 1995, and now nearly 30 years later, this family-owned and run business has expanded and opened a shop at 21 Main Street, Kleinmond. Michael Smith, the familiar Onrus Beach “ice cream man”, now spends more time managing the Kleinmond shop while his son, Armand, has taken over the helm at Onrus Beach.

As a third-generation family business, Michael and his family are passionate about ice cream and uphold the traditions that have made them a local favourite. Sweet Moments' menu features a selection of classic flavours and beloved favourites, and all of their ice creams are made with premium ingredients. There is something for everyone, from creamy vanilla and chocolate to strawberry. 

A day out at Onrus Beach wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the ice cream truck and the familiar sight of families, adults, excited children, and the odd dog enjoying the indulgent, simple pleasure of a creamy soft serve.

Hermanus is renowned for its art, from paintings to sculptures and ceramics, and with creativity taking so many forms it is no surprise that it has extended to painting on apparel. Upcoming artist, Suné de Beer has piqued local interest with her newfound skills as a fabric painter.

Suné developed a passion for art at a young age while growing up in the quiet town of Kakamas in the Northern Cape along the Orange River on her family’s third-generation farm. Coming from a creative household, her love for painting was nurtured. When she wasn't learning at school or painting, Suné spent time doing portrait photography for local families in Kakamas, or riding horses – two more passions of hers.

After taking a discipleship gap year in 2023, she started as a Horse Coordinator at a resort in the Transkei. She taught riding, led outrides, oversaw groomsmen, and managed horse care. The solitude in her spare time allowed her to paint, leading her to create her first wearable artwork, which was requested by a woman working with her at the resort. The lady, who is a big Formula 1 fan, asked for a portrait of F1 driver Max Verstappen on the back of a denim jacket. Using acrylic paint, Suné created a piece that both delighted her client and sparked her interest in painting on clothing, something she had not considered before.

Although Suné enjoyed her job at the resort, she soon found herself feeling very alone with no one her age to socialise with. She decided to resign and began looking for new work. 

Suné moved to Hermanus in mid-2024 to start work for Every Nation Church and now manages their admin, social media, youth work, and events, which has sparked her interest in events management. Shortly after her move, she met a local artist while house-sitting in Betty's Bay who saw Suné's work and also commissioned a Max Verstappen jacket. This time, Suné used fabric paint, which requires layering and a protective coating – a process that takes two to three weeks. The success of this project only deepened Suné's interest in fabric painting.

Suné has recently begun au pairing and balances her time looking after children, working for the church, and painting. Her small apartment doesn't have the space she needs to paint, but she was fortunate to meet local artist, Mardee Cita of Mardee Africa Hats who offered her a space in his studio next to Hermanus Tourism, for which she is very grateful. 

Suné’s jackets are both collectible and functional. She is working on her third piece and welcomes commissions, as long as the subject suits her style. For any enquiries, she can be contacted via WhatsApp at 076 419 6657. Suné has also launched her photography business in Hermanus and is offering portraiture, family photoshoots, and event photography. To see some of her photos, follow her on Instagram (My Perspective Photography).

The Vermont Conservation Foundation of South Africa (VCFSA), formerly known as the Vermont Conservation Trust (VCT), has been preserving Vermont’s natural beauty for the last 20 years.

The organisation was created when the residents of Vermont became concerned by threats to their natural environment such as poaching, vagrancy, illegal dumping, and the encroachment of private property into greenbelts and coastal zones.

The VCT officially registered as a Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) in 2023, changing its name to the VCFSA, and has become a vital force in protecting the region’s rich biodiversity while fostering community involvement and sustainable practices.

One of the focuses of the foundation is the restoration and management of the Vermont Greenbelt System: an interconnected network of natural open spaces that covers nearly 22% of the suburb’s land area. These greenbelts, filled with indigenous fynbos and vegetation, serve as vital corridors for wildlife, enabling species to move safely while maintaining biodiversity. The greenbelts support a remarkable variety of life, including 105 recorded bird species, as well as bats, frogs, and mammals such as the Cape grysbok and grey duiker.  

Vermont is located within the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest and most threatened of the world’s six plant kingdoms. It is home to three fynbos sub-veld types: Overberg Sandstone Fynbos (Endangered), Hangklip Sand Fynbos (Critically Endangered), and Overberg Dune Strandveld (Endangered). Over the years, VCFSA has worked tirelessly to remove invasive alien vegetation from large sections of the greenbelts, enabling native plants and animals to thrive once more. These efforts also contribute to the scenic beauty of the area, which attracts both residents and visitors.  

VCFSA is led by a board of dedicated volunteers from the community, who contribute their time and expertise to ensure its success. The 2023/4 board members included Duncan Heard (chairperson), Johan Myburgh (vice-chair), Grant Pilliner (treasurer), Galvin Lloyd (secretary), Peta Kennedy, Anne Droomer, William Keenan and Penny Wieffering Administrator (non-executive). 

Galvin’s commitment to the VCFSA stands out as he often leads efforts to clear invasive plants from the greenbelts on the days when his business, Lloyd & Co Landscaping, has fewer jobs. This hands-on approach shows the community spirit driving the foundation’s work. The Overstrand Municipality’s environmental department also provides crucial support, ensuring public open spaces are well-managed and ecologically sound.  

Beyond ecological restoration, VCFSA engages the community through a variety of initiatives. Regular hacking events bring people together to clear invasive plants, while projects like the ‘celebratory tiles’ allow residents to honour loved ones in meaningful ways, while contributing towards the maintenance of the cliff paths. Coastal pathways and greenbelts are carefully maintained to preserve their pristine condition, and ongoing efforts to raise awareness encourage responsible environmental stewardship. The foundation also works closely with local residents to address issues like littering, dumping, and property encroachment.  

VCFSA’s mission is driven by three core objectives: to conserve Vermont’s natural and cultural heritage, to collaborate with stakeholders for effective co-management, and to secure resources to ensure sustainability. By adhering to these principles, VCFSA plays a critical role in preserving the area’s unique ecosystems for future generations.  

The VCFSA welcomes anyone who wishes to support its work. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness, every contribution helps to protect this special part of the Overstrand. To learn more about the area's history and how to get involved, visit www.vermontconservation.org.za.