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A little history of De Oude Martha Restaurant |
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Martha Makwena is a child of the Tsitsikamma. Even her surname means “Big Tree”. She was born on the 6th of February 1942 on the farm Doriskraal. As a child she learned the secret of cooking good, traditional South African Food from her mother, Mary-Jane who herself was a natural cook.
After completing Grade 8, Martha had to start working and began her first job with a Mrs. Van Rensburg where she gained further experience in the art of cooking. Here she met David Moleki, a messenger from the Department of Forestry who she later married. From this union, 10 children were born.
Martha had one great ambition in her life – her six surviving children had to be educated. When a position arose at the Inn in 1972, she took it, earning a meager R20 per month. She started at the bottom of the ladder – washing dishes! Her talents were soon recognized and she was promoted to Chambermaid and then to assistant cook. She became the right-hand man for Chef William Khepu, a Swahili from what was then Rhodesia. From him she learnt all the recipes, which with the British influence, contributed to our dishes.
When the chef left for Zimbabwe, Martha aptly filled his shoes and the Inn then became synonymous with good, home cooked meals – just like Mother used to cook.
Due to her courage and determination, Martha’s ambition regarding her children has been realized. Eventually for her contribution to the success of the Inn and for the 25 years of loyal service, this restaurant was named after her on the 6th of October 1997. In August 2001, Martha received international recognition when The New York Times rated De Oude Martha as the best restaurant in the Tsitsikamma. After ruling the roost in the kitchen for 32 years, Martha finally retired on the 31st of January 2004. Today the Inn still remains loyal to the legacy Martha Makwela left and continues in the tradition of good, home cooked food.
A little today....
Relax in our ala carte restaurant where the décor is a blend of today and yesterday.
Where the welcome and the service is good and a new generation of women from our village are teaming up to provide a dining experience with cuisine for the entire family
We use only fresh, often organic and local ingredients with lots of fresh herbs from our garden mixed with a detail of love to create our mouth watering meals
Our aim is to offer freshly made meals, warm and attentionate service and food that is constantly good so that one-time customers wil become regulators and ambassadors.
We invite you to visit a "well kept secret" in the Tsitsikamma
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