Christine’s Kitchen – Where Love & Food Collide
-The story behind the name. -
The 3 “F’s”:
Food, Family & Fellowship (the 3 F’s-) has been always been part of my upbringing. Whenever there was an event, there was fellowship. At home, we entertained friends and family frequently. Whether they were passing through, on vacation, coming for dinner, or even just a “quick” pop in, there would be something to nibble on or a plate of food. In fact, my dad believes that is mandatory-you serve your guests, regardless. So, a seed was planted. Christine Van Der Linde (Mama):
My grandmother, Ma Christine, was soft-spoken, gentle and her eyes always sparkled. And whenever she spoke, she always wore a smile that danced in her eyes. As a child, I always looked forward to her visits. She never raised her voice. And she had this sweet giggle, and would easily get shy. However one of the traits about Ma Christine that stood out most was her attention to detail. Simply put, a sandwich was never just a sandwich. She was a great cook and baker. She kept a clean kitchen (and home) and prepared meals with such skill you could taste the love. Everything she did, she did with excellence. All these traits were transferred to my mother. Growing up, you could frequently wake up to the smell of fresh bread, or a marvellous malva pudding. My mom would always relay the lessons she learnt from her mother. She is also meticulous and precise, and when you step into her kitchen you follow her rules. The kitchen is her domain, and whatever her hands prepare is done so with artful skill, precision, and wholesomely delicious. Maureen Christine Paulson:
My mother. Well, obviously in the kitchen. Mom was always busy in the kitchen. Preparing meals for the family, or for invited guests. She would bake for friends. Or she would be catering for an event. And boy can she cook. At home, there was always something nice. Something yummy to nibble. She would experiment with new recipes, then add her own variations to the dish. She would play with flavours and textures. I remember the first cake I baked. I was probably about 8 or 9. I would always be around the kitchen when mom was there, being the inquisitive little madam I am. That day she gave me the rules. The first one being: READ. Look at your recipe, read each step and follow the instructions. Make sure your measurements are correct. Another rule: Clean up. Keep your workspace clean and orderly. Prepare all the ingredients first... As we proceeded to bake, she guided me through each step and process. I don’t recall all the instructions. What I do remember clearly was that I was super excited and couldn’t wait to finish. I followed moms guidance. Bubbling with sheer joy. And then, the cake came out of the oven. It has perfectly risen. Since it was a chocolate cake, mom decided a caramel and apricot jam filling and caramel topping would be in order. That was the day I knew I wanted to bake. I wanted to discover flavours, I wanted to create delicious treats. As the years moved forward, I would learn to perfect that chocolate cake recipe. I would learn various new techniques. I would learn new ways to dress and fill a cake. I would learn how to make delicious custard slices. I would learn all these things under the guidance and advice from Mom. Janine Christine Wilson:
One of my very first life goals/dreams was to own my own restaurant and bakery. I don’t know when this idea formed in my little brain but I remember that being one of the only things I wanted to do. Next to being a journalist, because I loved and still do enjoy writing. I have always been creative growing up in a multi-talented home. We love to see things in colour, we paint outside the lines. Creativity was always encouraged. For me, music and crafts were always a good distraction from the business of life. And later as an adult and mother, cooking and baking became a place where I could clear my head. My happy place. This is how my love for baking grew. It all started at home. However my love for everything homemade did not stop with food, it expanded to everything DIY too. I have a little notebook where I make notes on recipes, gift baskets ideas, masks for hair and skin. This little book is my Bible. Over the years my interest in baking, cooking and making everything from lip balm to soap has grown. And for the longest time, I always thought it would remain a hobby. Or maybe just be one of those things I know. Until I became a mom. I wished to give my daughter the kind of home I had. I wanted to put to use all the lessons and advice I received. Then I got married. I realized that I could save money making things myself. And as a bonus give my kids yummy treats for school. When inspiration hit, I’d search my memory bank for those dinner recipes my mom always made. Still, making this a business never crossed my mind. I just wanted to be a mom who could make anything from nothing and it would be delicious. I wanted to be the mom who would bake birthday cakes, or just because I can. I wanted to be the mom, who packed the best lunches. I wanted to host family and friends at my dinner table and have the pleasure of serving them from my heart. My husband encouraged me to start selling some of my homemade goods. I was reluctant at first. I just didn’t have the time. And who would I be selling to anyway? Well, after months of wondering, I wanted to take a chance. So that’s what I did. In 2019 I made my intentions known to those close to me. I figured that’s a good place to start. Who better to crit than those closest to you. And that’s where I began. I started trying out those Rusk recipes I always wanted to try - I’m a sucker for rusk so why buy when I can make it myself. I finally made those biscuits I always wanted to, and so the list went on. Christmas 2019 I decided my gift to the family and closest friends would be a gift basket of my homemade products. It was a mammoth task but one I thoroughly enjoyed. The hours spent baking and packing till the early hours of Christmas morning was exciting. And so the dream is slowly becoming reality. Why the name Christine’s Kitchen? It’s simple. Ever since I dreamt of owning my own Restaurant or Bakery there was always just one name. Christine’s Kitchen. My grandmothers’ name, which she passed on to my mom, who in turn passed it on to me. My gran has passed on, but the memory of her continues to live on. My mother continues to share new recipes and advice. In fact, we share secrets and ideas. I pay homage to 2 exceptional women in my life. I share my dream with my family. And hold onto it becoming real. My vision for my business is for you to have the taste of home. I want to take you on a journey of memories. Simplicity sometimes is all that is needed to make an impression. So this is my kitchen. It is the place where you can always find a piece of home. When you take a bite it should take you to a happy place. I express my love through baking. When you walk into my house it is important you feel at home because that is what I was taught. I was taught that home should be a place of peace, of love and friendship. All are welcome to sit at my table (or on my couch)
This is my kitchen. It is where Love and Food collide. Janine Christine Wilson
FOUNDER
Christine’s Kitchen est. 2019
