It’s no big secret that Cape Town is going through a severe drought, so local business owners have had to assess a way forward to keep their businesses afloat while saving water. From the 1st of April, The Test Kitchen will introduce The Drought Kitchen, a pop-up dining experience. Luke Dale-Roberts and his team will focus on using less water in the kitchen while still preparing creative and magnificent food.

By Ulisha Moodley

‘I’ve had to re-evaluate how we approach what we do in the kitchen and the restaurant,’ says Luke. ‘From preparation to plating, service to clean-up, everything is impacted by using less water. It’s been an eye-opener, for sure,’ he adds.

Guests can look forward to a sublime six-course menu that is adapted from the Test Kitchen’s standard repertoire, but just with a water-wise twist. The menu includes a 12-hour hot-smoked trout with watercress and yoghurt snow; yuzu caviare and blinis; sweet breads with asparagus, peas, morel and porcini hollandaise; pig-head salad and pork pie; springbok with beetroot bone marrow and hazelnuts; and peaches and lavender for dessert.

Each course will also be plated on empty picture frames with an interchangeable card, designed by Luke. ‘These hand-crafted disposable plates will provide the perfect counterpoint for displaying each dish.’ With no washing up required!

Booking can be made via The Test Kitchen’s website here: thetestkitchen.co.za

THE DETAILS

When: 1 April – 31 May 2018; Tuesday-Saturday, 6:30 PM –11:30 PM
Where: 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Price: R890 for the water-saving menu
Contact: 021 447 2337
Website: thetestkitchen.co.za