The Table Is The Heartbeat of Your Home...

Welcome to my studio

Do you feel like you don’t know what to make for your friends and family when entertaining?

Or you want to impress them, but don’t have the courage to entertain?

I am here to help!

This blog is a tribute to my way of life and to everything I love.

Join me on my journey through the winelands and back to my kitchen as I discover new wines and create new and exciting recipes.  

Here, my family and friends join me around the kitchen counter where some of our best moments have been shared.

The Table

The Table is a cookbook that celebrates the fusion of South African and Lebanese cuisine. Author Elmarie Berry shares her grandmother's cherished recipes, offering a collection of easy yet flavourful dishes that are perfect for entertaining. With stunning photography and styling, this book inspires readers to create memorable dining experiences.

Work with me on...

Styled Shoots

Recipe Development

Styled Product shoots

“I know once people get connected to real food, they never change back.”
—Alice Waters​

Follow my journey

@elmarieberry
Elmarie Berry

@elmarieberry

Author | Chef | Food Stylist | Cooking Classes 🏆 Award Winning Cookbook Author 🍽️ Partnerships & Products 🍷 Wine & Restaurant Reviews
  • 🌟 An Exclusive Celebration with Elmarie Berry 🌟

Award-winning cookbook author and culinary creative Elmarie Berry invites you to an intimate celebration of her Gourmand Award-winning book, The Table. Experience a harvest table lunch with perfectly paired wines, featuring her signature fusion of Middle Eastern and South African flavours — dishes designed to be shared, savoured, and celebrated.

Be among the first to explore her new table linen collection, Imperfect Grace, launching just in time for Christmas, and enjoy a lively and heartfelt conversation with Anita Reynolds about the art and joy of cooking.

This is a day of true inspiration, perfect for gathering ideas for your summer holiday tables. Guests can also shop the cookbook and linen collection on the day, making it a sensory and stylish experience not to be missed.

📩 Book now: ar@sommcoffee.co.za

Seats are limited — secure yours today!
  • Celebrating #WorldEggDay with a little magic from the humble egg — the heart of every pavlova! Light, crisp, and cloud-like, each one a reminder of how something so simple can create something so beautiful. 💛
Which pavlova would you pick 1,2 or 3

#WorldEggDay #PavlovaLove #ElmarieBerry #TheTable #EffortlessEntertaining #HomeBaking #FoodStyling #elmarieberry #galliovaawards
  • 🌟 Festive Menu 2025✨

Hoopstad - 14 Oktober (nog 3 plekke beskikbaar)

#elmarieberrycookingclasses #hoopstad #vrystaat #festivemenu2025
  • What a joy to join @gerda.kriel on the launch of season 2 of @that_intentional_life_podcast ✨ We spoke about something very close to my heart — the intentional table.

It’s more than food and flowers, it’s about creating space where hearts can connect, stories can be shared, and God’s goodness can be celebrated.

My prayer is that this conversation encourages you to open your table with love and purpose, and to discover the beauty of gathering intentionally.

🎧 Listen in and be inspired to set your own intentional table. Link is in the comments.
  • Môre is erfenisdag, en jinne ons Suid Afrikaaners het die lekkerste resepte. 

Al die resepte kom uit Kosbaar. 

#heritagedaysouthafrica #elmarieberry #kosbaar #penguinrandomhouse
  • Just wrapped up an incredible 3-day food photography & styling course — and what an experience! 🍓📸 From lighting tricks to styling secrets, every moment was packed with inspiration and hands-on learning.
Huge thank you to the amazing @hanneskoegelenberg & @margueriteoelofse for so generously sharing your knowledge, passion, and creativity with us. Your guidance has completely changed the way I see and capture food. 🙌✨
Feeling so inspired and grateful! 💫
#FoodPhotography #StylingWorkshop #Gratitude #CreativeJourney #BehindTheScenes #FoodStyling
  • Easy entertainment | The Table 

#easyentertainment #TheTable #penguinrandomhouse #penguinbooks #awardwinningcookbook #cookbook2025 #elmarieberry
  • One of my favourite ways to enjoy olives. 
Try this recipe for my marinated olives out of my recipe book The Table. 

#thetable #recipe #olives #penguin #elmarieberry
  • SPRINGBOKS VS NEW ZEALAND⁠
CRISPY LAMB CHOPS ON A BED OF FRIES WITH AIOLI⁠
INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4):⁠
8 thin-cut bone-in lamb rib or loin chops | Salt & black pepper | 1 sprig fresh rosemary, finely chopped | 2 Tbsp olive oil | Frozen fries (enough for 4 servings; alternatively, hand-cut fresh potatoes) | Aioli⁠
METHOD:⁠
Prepare the lamb:⁠
•Season lamb chops generously on both sides with salt. Let sit at room temperature for 40 minutes while you prepare the grill.⁠
⁠
Prepare the grill:⁠
•For charcoal: Light 1 chimney of charcoal. Once ashed over, pour onto one side of the grill. Cover and preheat for 5 minutes. For gas: Heat half the burners to high, cover, and preheat for 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grates.⁠
⁠
Grill the lamb:⁠
•Rub lamb chops with olive oil and rosemary, season with black pepper. Grill over indirect heat (cooler side), covered, until the fat crisps and the meat is cooked to your liking.⁠
⁠
Cook the fries:⁠
•Frozen: fry the frozen fries according to packet instructions - either in hot oil or in an air fryer - until golden and crisp. Season lightly with salt. ⁠
•Fresh: cut potatoes into fries, soak briefly in cold water, then pat dry. Fry in hot oil until golden and crisp or cook in an air fryer.⁠
⁠
Assemble:⁠
•Arrange fries on a platter, top with crispy chos, and dollop with freshly made aioli.⁠
⁠
QUICK AIOLI: Ingredients: 5 garlic cloves, pressed or finely minced | 2 tsp lemon juice, to taste | Sprinkle of salt | ½ cup good-quality mayonnaise to taste | ¼ tsp Dijon mustard (optional) Method: Combine garlic and lemon juice in a small bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 10 minutes. Press through a fine strainer into a clean bowl, discarding solids. Stir in mayonnaise until smooth. Add Dijon mustard and more lemon juice to taste, if desired.Chill until ready to use (keeps for up to 10 days).⁠
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