Thanks

I wish to thank Peta Lamb from Parys, as well as my dear friend Delyse Fell from Amanzimtoti for their relentless nagging to write this book. My heartfelt thanks goes to my friend Hettie Saaiman, who so gracefully put up with me for a whole month in Mauritius, and allowed me to run amok in her kitchen while I finished this book. Thank you to Joyce who cleaned up week after week with a smile. I also cannot go without saying thank you to my parents, Moira and William Barnes, who have always supported me in everything I have ever wanted to do, and for never saying ‘there’s no money in Art, get a degree’.

And a huge thank you to Graham for supporting me in every step of this journey called life – dankie Boet.

Thank you, too, to Anne McLeod, my advanced cake-decorating teacher, for her proofreading, guidance and assistance with my fruitcake recipes. Her vast experience was invaluable.

I wish to thank the following people for contributing some of the photographs: Leonie O’Donelle, Richard Heeps, Nadine Oliver, Alida Coetzee, Barry Lawson, Graham Barnes and Sue Wiper.

To the publishing team – Linda de Villiers (publisher), Joy Clack (editor), Beverley Dodd (designer) – thank you from the bottom of my heart. This book would never have become a reality without your assistance and professional guidance. It really is a dream come true for me and I could not have done anything as spectacular or visual without your input.