What's happened to Hellmann's? Jars of this rich and creamy mayo seem to have disappeared off our shelves and the kids’ lunch boxes are just not the same without it. Well, until this morning, when they had the delight of a ham sandwich with a spread of Hellmann’s. This is thanks to a fabulous trip I’ve just done to Harare, where I managed to find some and pack few jars to bring home.

The supermarkets in Zim were stocked with the most amazing imported products, as well as a huge variety of local produce from artisan suppliers. It didn't take me long to find the season’s best baby purple artichokes, jars of clotted cream, punnets of mulberries, tarragon, marula nuts, a variety of local over-sized bright pink radishes, the best beef, chunks of pork collar (a perfect cut to make pulled pork) and all my childhood favourites: Sparletta cherry plum flavour, canned satsuma plums, and copious amounts of the best-ever thick and creamy yoghurt.

I was invited to judge a braai competition between four Zimbabwean foodies and four South African wine gurus hosted by The Stables Winery. As soon as they asked me I jumped at the opportunity. I was intrigued to go back to my hometown, which I had last visited almost 15 years ago.

Every dish that I judged was fantastic, from the perfect chorizo and mushroom risotto cooked on the open fire to a chocolate, granadilla and toasted marshmallow dessert plate that I would've happily paid for in a restaurant.

I've come back inspired with a warm happy soul and my belief reaffirmed that simple is not always the simplest to do. The winning menu was created by Andrew and Pozy Gunn, the owners of Iona Wine estate in Elgin, who submitted delicious braaied baba ganoush, blistered fiery red pepper relish, roosterkoek and the most perfectly cooked piece of beef fillet.

Have a great week!
Abigail

Photographs: Ctshaw, JamieAnne, KanshiKetsu and Krugergirl26