David Grier

Izimvo has the privilege of introducing inspirational speaker, celebrity chef and extreme adventurer, David Grier

David, 49, has recently completed the first ever joint continuous run of the Great Wall of China, some 4000km in 98 days, as well as the first continuous run of the coast of South Africa.

He is currently preparing for the Madagascar 2010 Challenge where he plans to kayak 700km to Madagascar, run 3000km up the center of the island and then kite board and kayak 1200km back to South Africa.

Website: http://www.davidgrier.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DavidGrier
Facebook: David-Grier
Location: Cape Town

David was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Born in the summer of 60, weened on the outdoors open space and often in earshot of the ocean. Father of 4 children, my inspiration. A chef by profession, extreme adventurer by chance, as one day someone left the kitchen door open and the rest just keeps on unfolding. Through an overload of life changing experiences brought on by adventure, the only way that I could share them was to write about them as they unfolded, this has now culminated into 2 books. I now spend a lot of time traveling the country and sharing my inspirational stories with corporates.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Heights just seem to get to me, normally when I least need it. But if I look at things that spook me when I am out there, there is normally a warning sign attached.

If I think back as a chef I have this recurring nightmare which always happens during season time. Picture me standing at the door of my kitchen looking into the restaurant. I only have 1 frying pan in my hand things are going ballistic, the whole restaurant is full of people who on seeing me all stand up and start shouting I want food, I want food, I just can’t cope and the pressure is on.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: To drive out-of-town and head up the coast to my folks farm at Stanford on the kleinriver. A quiet tranquil private nature reserve, just us.

Extreme Adventures

Q: What do you think sets you and other extreme adventurers apart from us “normal” folk?

A: I don’t see myself different to any one else, but i do believe that as an individual I am driven by a passion to make a difference. If I look at extreme adventure, it is a mind-set of self belief that is key to success, Adventure is a mental journey and needs massive preparation.

Q: You recently run the length of the Great Wall of China, an amazing 4200km in 98 days. What were the greatest lessons that you took away from the experience?

A: My journey along the Great Wall of China, achieving a world first record-breaking run of the entire length of the great wall. Pushing my body to the limit. Reaching deep into the inner strength of my mind.

Through this run I had to deal with life threatening situations and life changing decisions, ultimately realizing that in order to continue with my journey I had to embrace change and evolve.

I found out how important it is to be able to change as we travel our personal journeys through life to ultimately meet with success. We all have this ability, but must make that personal commitment to want to embrace change in order to move forward.

Q: Your next challenge is a solo run of the island of Madagascar with a few “twists”. Can you tell us about these twists and how you came about them?

A: Starting on 1 December in Pemba, Mozambique the multi-discipline, four-month event will see me kayak 700km across to Madagascar where after I will run the approximately 3000km up the centre of the island to the northern tip of Madagascar, before kite surfing and paddling the 1200km distance back to South Africa.

I decided on a multi discipline event as I wanted to involve aspects that would challenge me in a different way. The ocean has always played a massive part in my life from a young age, it’s intrigued me, yet terrified me and has my utmost respect. By including the paddle and kite, I feel this will be my most difficult challenge yet as they are both relatively new sports to me so I am going to have to dig really deep as I’ve already experienced in training.

Q: Which part of your preparation for an adventure is most difficult, the physical or the mental?

A: The two are intertwined, from good physical preparation comes mental strength by knowing that you can physically handle what lies ahead. But the mental resolve will pull you through, knowing that you are capable but you have to dig deep on a daily basis, the longer the event carries on the more difficult it is to remain focused, and to keep grinding on daily as your body becomes depleted and weaker.

Q: Which historical expedition impresses you the most?

A: What amazes me about historic expeditions is how the adventurers managed with the gear they had , clothing that was basic, navigation and lack of communication.There are two that stand out and that is the polar crossing and Everest – men of steel.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Crime is a global problem and experienced wherever one goes. It touches ones life, yes but there are far more positive things that we as a family have been through and more importantly look for and associate with – I feel its up to you as an individual to look for the positive side of each day – come on, I am so “Gatvoll” on negativity.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: No I have not, but I do love traveling and experiencing life in other countries and cultures. If I had to emigrate, I would take a return ticket to Cape Town.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I have no magic solution, but communication and accountability to the people who put me there would be a start. Install a simple value of respect.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: The drive from Gordon’s bay to Betties Bay, The view from Blaauwberg to Cape town. The view down the valley from th top of Franschoek pass.

Life in Cape Town

Q: What are the benefits of living in Cape Town for an extreme athlete?

A: There is the mountain to run on. The constant changing weather conditions for different training simulations, the ocean to kayak and kite in. Importantly, they all right next to each other. Then there is the sport science institute for the specialist training sessions.

Q: As a celebrity chef, which Capetonian would you most like to cook for? Which venue would you select for the occasion?

A: My Wife Lizelle for a Crayfish braai on the edge of Robben Island looking back at Cape Town.

Q: When not cooking yourself, where do enjoy going for the perfect Sunday lazy lunch?

A: The Foodbarn in Noordhoek Village or a simple lunch at Polana in Kalk Bay.

General

Q: A single piece of advice for anyone looking to set out on an extreme adventure?

A: Look at the risk and prepare well.

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: There is a recurring one. Seeing the pride and joy in the fans eyes when south Africa succeeds.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: Right where I am.

A massive thank you to David for finding the time in his training schedule to answer our questions. We wish David God-speed for his Madagascar Challenge and look forward to following his progress with great interest.

Michael Olivier

Izimvo would like to introduce wine writer and broadcaster, Michael Olivier.

Michael, a well-known Cape food and wine fundi, grew up on a wine farm in the hills of Durbanville. He trained at The London Cordon Bleu Cookery School and has worked in and managed such well-known places as Lanzerac Hotel in Stellenbosch and the top marque wine estate, Boschendal.

Having run three restaurants, Paddagang in Tulbagh, The Burgundy in Hermanus and Parks in Constantia, and being featured in the national top ten restaurants, he is now a food and wine writer, published author and broadcaster.

Website: http://www.michaelolivier.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Michael_Olivier

Michael was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Michael Olivier he’s the wine writer and broadcaster, you’ve probably seen his books in the shops or heard him on the radio?

I am 63 years old and work from home – wine writing for various websites and publications. I have my own website www.michaelolivier.co.za. I broadcast each day on Fine Music Radio, a Cape based station and on Friday nights on ClassicFM which broadcasts in the Gauteng region. I consult two days a week for a large supermarket group on a customer relations management programme.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favourite movie.

A: I love birds, the feathered kind. And the other too if the truth be known. I am an avid, nay voracious reader. Love music, mainly classical – as long as it is not Mahler, he’s way too pre-occupied with death – yet am as at home with Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. And Jamie Cullum and Oscar Petersen. My favourite movie which offers me a chance to cry every time is Love Actually.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Being in a special place that is very quiet, with good books, good food and good wine. Should have a view of mountains or sea or Karoo veld and there must be trees with lots of birds in them.

Food and Wine in South Africa

Q: Having trained at the London Cordon Bleu Cookery School, do you feel that international training and experience is a requirement to succeed in the business?

A: No I don’t think it is a requirement at all. There are many fabulous cooks in the country who have never held their own passport and are a huge success in what they do. But I believe it extends your horizons of food knowledge if you do travel and are able to work overseas.

Q: What do you think it is that sets South African cuisine apart and why do you think are South Africans so passionate about their food?

A:I don’t believe we have a real South African cuisine, though there are certain dishes which we assume and have adopted as our own. We live in a country that has brilliant produce, fresh fish, wonderful beef and lamb, fabulous cheese and lots of fresh fruit and vegetable. I don’t think South Africans are more or less passionate about food than anywhere else I have been in the world. Foodies are all a tad crazy.

Q: As a published author, what advice would you give any young food and wine author wanting to do they same?

A: Get out and just do it yourself. Start writing, leave the publisher out of it and do it on your own, it’s way easier than you think. I am about to publish my third book on my own.

Q: With the rate of obesity in young children growing at an alarming rate in South Africa, what advice would you offer today’s parents?

A: Teach yourselves about healthy food first and then be sure your kids eat healthy.

Q: Which of your books are you most proud of?

A: The People’s Guide, my new book co-authored with Neil Pendock the Sunday Times Wine Writer and Anibal Coutinho from Portugal. Love the other three, but this one is a stunner.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes we have been affected by crime. It has not changed my perception about living here and we are just very careful all the time, though no paranoid.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Wouldn’t half mind living in Portugal, love Margaret River in Western Australia where I have done some work, but here’s home for us and our children.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: Teach people to grow vegetables and feed themselves. And tell everyone to calm down.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Groot Constantia, Stellenbosch Winelands and a drive round the Cape Peninsula with a stop off at Kirstenbosch.

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you think is Cape Town’s number one tourist attraction?

A: Well there are 5, and I have a problem choosing. Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch, Groot Constantia and Cape Point.

Q: If you had to prepare a meal for an international visitor, showing off the best of Cape Cuisine, what would it be?

A: Smoked snoek paté, my own Bobotie recipe, and Malva Pudding, all the recipes are on my website.

Q: Where do you suggest both locals and visitors source their fresh produce in Cape Town?

A: Salt River Market, The Old Biscuit Mill on Saturday mornings. Find a good butcher like Mr Bass at Super Meat Market in Kenilworth, go to a superb baker like the Faull boys at Knead, buy good value wines from a reputable source – Mike Duggan at Wine Concepts. Shaiks Exotics or Spice Mecca or Atlas Trading for fresh spices.

General

Q: Which celebrity chef do you most admire and why?

A: Oooh – difficult one, but I think Rick Stein. He’s my sort of age and his food is real.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: No question – Cry the beloved country by Alan Paton.

Q: Which 3 South African’s would you most like to invite to dinner?

A: Penny Coelen Rey Miss World 1958, a great great lady, I’ve met her before. Desmond Tutu, so that I can hug him when he goes home. Tessa Uys, so that she can play the piano between courses and I’d make sure we had six so that she plays quite a few pieces.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: My wonderful writing partner Neil Pendock. You’d find out all sorts of things about him I never knew!

We’d like to thank Michael for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to picking up a copy of his latest book, The People’s Guide 2010 – Navigate the winelands in a shopping trolley.

Lookout for it in selected wine shops, supermarkets and bookshops from the 16th November.