JHB West - Dec 20 / Jan 21

Ready, set,
party
Though social gatherings are much more intimate these days, they are here to stay.
Cook and all-round event planner extraordinaire, Debbie Hannibal chats
about loving all things party and offers a few tips for stress-free hosting.
Years ago, Debbie Hannibal’s idea of
a quick and easy meal was bangers
and mash. Not quite the type of
dish a foodie would admit to be
serving ... Nowadays, the cheerful and
free-spirited Debbie whips up lipsmacking-good
dishes with the same
heartiness, but keeping it simpler, and
adding her creativity that has made
her the successful cook she is today.
Craig and Debbie’s home has been
described as an entertainment hotel,
merely because you never leave there
empty-handed. Debbie is not one
bit afraid to go all out, and by that
we mean you can expect a party like
none other if you are invited over …
every single time. Hosting people
doesn’t frazzle her, in fact, nothing
makes her happier. Whether it is an
impromptu dinner or entertaining
friends and family, spoiling people
with food is what makes her tick.
And don’t expect to be served boring
finger foods (a food trend that should
rather go, according to her). Instead,
you will indulge in food to swoon
over … like her signature baked
brie wheel with sundried tomatoes,
tomato jam and olive pesto served
with warm olive ciabatta, or hot
fondant potato thickly smeared with
cold Lurpak butter, Maldon salt and a
rosemary needle. Almost impossible
to think bangers and mash were once
her tried-and-tested meal …
Debbie’s late mother was her first
10 Get It Magazine Dec 20 / Jan 21
culinary inspiration and, determined
to recreate the flavours and
fragrances of her childhood, she
enrolled at a hotel school.
The catering industry followed
and expecting something entirely
different, Debbie was soon bored
by budgets and stock sheets, and
subsequently lost all interest in
the kitchen
But, after attending a friend (also her
kitchen muse), Lisa Brink’s creative
cooking classes, she plucked up the
courage to start her own culinary
studio. Soon, her classes were
jam-packed.
‘For the past few years, virtually every
waking moment has been consumed
by teaching, testing, food styling,
photography, updating my Cook
Studio Facebook page, pinning,
blogging and helping friends throw
stylish parties.
‘I’ve decided to take a much-needed
break from my cooking school. This
doesn’t mean I’m going to sip on
Mimosa’s all day long … I love being
busy and need to keep up the same
energy. I find cooking, organising,
entertaining and socialising uplifting,
and I always have a project on
the go – from planning parties to
community work. So, I’m going
to spend more time on my blog.
Although I prefer being in the kitchen
to being on a computer, I just have so
many recipes and ideas to share!
‘On my blog, you will find exactly
what women want. How to entertain
without having a breakdown.
Some women find the thought of
entertaining terrifying while others
do not have the time. Teaching how
to add the wow factor to simplicity is
what all women love.
‘Plus, I have all my old course notes
up with loads of original recipes you
can try.’
When Debbie is not busy whipping
up a MasterChef creation, she is mom
to two daughters, Alex and Camilla,
does creative graphic work for friends
and family setting up a new business,
spends time on their boat at the Vaal
Dam and reads recipe books like they
are novels.
The holiday season is here and
gatherings or parties, although
much smaller, are on the cards. What
is Debbie’s recipe to a successful
get-together?
‘Make sure each guest is treated as
important as the next. Apart from
serving good food, music, a planned
playlist, champagne and a theme
are musts. You don’t need to break
the bank, think anything with a dash
of vintage or kitsch. Nothing is too
corny to add to a theme. And oops
moments happen, so if you stumble,
make it part of the dance.’
Details: Cookstudio.co.za or follow
her on Facebook, @cookstudio and
Instagram, @cook_studio.