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From political philosophy graduate through fashion fundi to food and wine critic ...
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Looking back, life's been a series of quantum leasps - which I only realised when a fan phoned to say "Your life has been an adventure. Thank you for sharing it with us."
I'd always known I was going to write. After UCT I headed to the London School of Journalism to take a diploma.
Aged 20, I was totally unskilled in the kitchen. It was either learn to cook or starve - but no "paint by numbers" cookery book for me. My first (and still best-loved cookbook) is by New York Times food editor Craig Claiborne, and mentions Samuel Johnson in the introduction. Very appealing to a self-important , just-capped graduate. Reading recipe books became a hobby and meals at top London restaurants occasions to save for. They still are!
Back home, I indulged my gourmet leanings. As editor of the SA fashion journal The Buyer , I was in the world's fashion and culinary capitals four times a year, joining press photographers at the catwalk and dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.
When fashion exploded from couture into the street, I moved to Wine magazine, a logical step as my future husband (later chairman of the Winetasters Guild of South Africa) had introduced me to wine in my teens.  As editor of Wine's Top 100 Restaurants in SA, my photograph was pasted in local restaurant kitchens under the warning: BEWARE.
As food and wine matching is my passion (meals at Klein Zoar revolve round what's in the cellar) collaborating with London restaurateur and author Michel Roux Jr on Vin de Constance with Michel Roux Jr was wish fulfilment. After winning a Gourmand Award for "the best food and wine matching book in the world", it was chosen as "best in the world" in the 12-year history of the awards.
 I'm currently an associate editor of Platter's SA Wines, and restaurant-driven trips abroad help me keep tabs on culinary trends. I'm on the SA selection panel for the S Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants.
A recipient of Eat Out magazine's 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award, I've been dubbed a "national treasure". In the scheme of things, it seems appropriate for a national treasure to preserve a national monument.
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PRESERVING A HOUSE
This is the story of a lifelong love affair –
with a 300 year-old cottage, reputedly the
home of folk hero, Wolraad Woltemade. Told
with wit and warmth, it presents a colourful
pastiche of personal challenges, research
and discoveries, within the framework of
changing lifestyles and ...
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