Learn the secrets of SA’s most famous curry buffet with the Oyster Box Hotel Masterclass

The Oyster Box Hotel is offering guests the unique opportunity to learn how to prepare curry like a world class chef with its Curry Masterclass. Image: Supplied.

A stone’s throw from the bright beaches of Umhlanga lies a culinary odyssey at the Oyster Box – one of South Africa’s oldest and most renowned seaside hotels.

Much like KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), which it calls home, the luxurious establishment is famous for its authentic curry dishes.

MASTER DURBAN CURRY WITH THE OYSTER BOX HOTEL

Curry was first introduced to the province 150 years ago by indentured Indian labourers. Since then, Durban has garnered a reputation for its ‘hotter than usual’ curry, coloured red by chillies and cayenne pepper.

The Oyster Box’s Executive Chef Kevin Joseph says Durban Masala curry powder is typically made from a blend of 12 different ingredients, including ground coriander, cinnamon, cumin, curry leaves, fennel seed, dried chillies and cayenne pepper, as well as ginger and garlic.

The hotel’s curry buffet is perhaps the most famous one in South Africa, and guests can go behind the scenes to learn what makes it unique with the Oyster Box Curry Masterclass.

Through the Curry Masterclass, Joseph and his talented team of chefs work alongside guests and give them a close-up view of the hard work, skill and creativity that goes into the 11 curries prepared for the buffet every day.

Executive Chef Kevin Joseph and his team prepare 11 curries for the buffet daily. Image: Supplied.

INDIAN CUISINE WITH A VIEW OF THE INDIAN OCEAN

Masterclass participants will receive a tour of the kitchen and learn how to use traditional and modern Indian cooking techniques to create a range of dishes, including samoosas, curries and sides.

The class is suited for fledgling beginners or flashy home cooks and is available for lunch and dinner. It culminates in a buffet meal in the Ocean Terrace Restaurant overlooking the Indian Ocean. The food offerings range from meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.

The traditional Durban Lamb Curry is considered the Oyster Box’s signature dish, while the Singapore Fish Curry’s nuanced flavours come from the fresh seafood caught by local anglers.

The Oyster Box Hotel is offering guests the unique opportunity to learn how to prepare curry like a world-class chef with its Curry Masterclass. Image: Supplied.

Before leaving, guests will receive an Oyster Box branded gift and a recipe pack. The Curry Masterclass is priced at R1900 per person for groups of 10 or more people. Guests receive a complimentary cocktail on arrival.

For further information and to book, please get in touch with Restaurant Reservations.

Call: 031-514-5000 or Email: restaurants@oysterbox.co.za

Away from the kitchen, the Oyster Box allows quick and easy access to the Umhlanga Village Centre and Durban CBD. For visitors keen to experience natural attractions, luxurious Game Lodges and parks like Phinda and the iSimangaliso Wetland are nearby. For a touch of design and culture, the world-class African luxury brand, Ardmore, which regularly exhibits at the Oyster Box, is about two hours away via the N2 or N3 Highway.

Pauline Kudzai Torongo

Pauline is the Campaign Manager at The South African in Cape Town. She obtained a BCom in Business Management and has worked as a Digital Marketing Manager. She enjoys reading and hiking.