RECIPES TO WOW THEM

My late dad was a priest and we were regularly asked to bake for the congregation during gatherings. I became so good at it because I always looked out for recipes to wow them and this encouraged me to bake more.

My family love their biscuits and cookies and when we are expecting visitors I make sure we serve tea in the finest tea set reserved for special occasions — this is how it was growing up.

My Christmas coconut cookies are my favourite. My family know never to eat the last cookie in the tin as it’s for mum. I love the crispy outer layer: they are absolutely delicious and so light and creamy my mouth is watering as I write about them.

When my children were younger I was that mum who sent homemade biscuits and cookies to their teachers as thank you gifts. But since they are grown, I have strict instructions that they don’t want any attention drawn to themselves so instead I send cookies to friends and family.

We enjoy a quiet Christmas at home with the kids and we decide what we want on the menu. I love a trifle; some may think it’s old-fashioned but it’s one part of the meal I don’t have to slave over as all the ingredients are store-bought and I prepare it the night before.

A big box of Bakers Choice Assorted is a Christmas essential, especially for the shortbread and strawberry whirls, which are my favourites.

I offer lifestyle cooking classes at our studio in Boksburg and the most popular is baking. What makes it special, apart from the recipes, is the focus on teaching baking methods and techniques that allow participants to adjust recipes to suit their needs. Our aim is to empower bakers with skills to start their own businesses.

I’m working on two cookbooks at the moment. My first, Dinner at Matloha’s, published last year, is based on my cooking journey and features my first love and interest in food. My mum used to make “slaapkoek” and oatmeal biscuits. Those two recipes are close to my heart and will definitely be in the new book.