Johannesburg - Celebrity chef Jenny Morris is a regular on Food Network. Debashine Thangevelo chats to her about her best and worst travel memories.
First holiday memory?
It would be visiting family in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia). We went by train and it was the most exciting time of my young life. I loved eating in the dining car. It was my first “restaurant” experience and I felt really posh and important.
Favourite place in South Africa?
Cape Town – it has absolutely everything. I love the agricultural aspect, the sea, mountains, wine route and the people.
Best holiday?
Thailand. It ticks all the boxes: food, markets, culture, crafts, interesting architecture and lovely people – not to mention the shopping. I love using the public transport and no visit is complete without a ride in a tuk-tuk, or an overnight journey from Changmai to Bangkok on the train.
What have you learnt from your travels?
It teaches you to embrace that saying: “When in Rome do as the Romans do.” It has taught me to take in my surroundings and appreciate them. I have learnt about people, their culture and food. And you do come home heavier.
Ideal travelling companion?
My husband, David. He likes to explore, eat and shop as much as I do.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
A bit of both: a beach bum and a culture vulture.
Greatest travel luxury?
Travelling first class on Emirates Airline – it was a wonderfully pampered experience.
Holiday reading?
Cookbooks that I purchase along the way. I have books in Chinese that I can’t even understand. But I look at the pictures and try to figure it out. If it’s not that, I buy tablecloths (laughs). It’s like reading a love story.
Where has seduced you?
Every country I have travelled to has seduced a part of me. Having said that, Spain and Portugal do make my heart beat faster!
Worst travel experience?
Going to Libya. It is not a country for woman travellers, in my book. They don’t like us.
Best hotel?
I love the Peace Hotel in Shanghai. They have these men from this swing band playing there. The history behind them is that they went to the US to study. When they returned, they started playing their music again.
Of course, with the revolution, they had to be expressionless even though they were enjoying playing their music. That was three years ago, when I saw them. And, of course, the hotel is a beautiful old building.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
I love driving out to the West Coast during the spring flower season.
Best meal abroad?
A really simple but delicious meal done on the fire in Greece – grilled swordfish and octopus, splashed with fresh lemon juice and drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. This was followed by sticky sun-ripe figs, honey, freshly-baked bread and cheese.
Favourite city?
It has to be Beijing. Everything around the city is historical. You have the Summer Palace, the Winter Palace and the Forbidden City. And the Great Wall is on the outside. I loved the noodles and, of course, Peking Duck.
Where to next?
Australia is next on the agenda. Hopefully, by the end of the year. It’s for work. My work is delicious. It’s like a gourmet holiday.
l Celebrity chef Jenny Morris is a regular on Food Network. The irrepressibly funny cook is back on our screens next month – this time she’ll be joined by the equally quirky Reza Mahammad in Jenny and Reza’s Fabulous Food Academy.
Saturday Star