South African owned restaurant bans turkey for christmas in London
19. Nov, 2009
3 Comments
A South African owned restaurant in London has taken the unprecedented step of banning turkey this Christmas. Despite requests from some customers, the team at High Timber, a restaurant on the banks of the Thames, is refusing to put turkey on the menu “because it simply doesn’t taste as good as steak”.
Co-owners Gary and Kathy Jordan, of Stellenbosch winery Jordan, and their London-based partner Neleen Strauss said: “Tradition tends to over ride taste at this time of year. What we’re politely asking people to do is admit they don’t actually like turkey, otherwise restaurants would serve it all year round.
“We find it absolutely amazing that we reserve the worst meat for the most special meal of the year.”
High Timber’s head chef, Justin Saunders, is spearheading High Timber’s campaign: “I have tried cooking turkey every way imaginable and the end result is still an unattractive, bland meat. I think if we are honest, we’d much rather be tucking into a juicy steak at Christmas. As most people will be forced to have turkey at home, I’m not going to make them have it at their Christmas party too.”
Background
High Timber opened in March 2009 and is the brainchild of Gary & Kathy Jordan, of Jordan Wine Estate in Stellenbosch and London restaurateur Neleen Strauss. Located on the banks of the River Thames, High Timber is 50 yards from the St Paul’s Cathedral side of the Millennium Bridge with spectacular views across to Shakespeare’s Globe and the Tate Modern.
High Timber seats 80 people, including a stunning private room situated in some of the Capital’s most extensive cellars. Customers are encouraged to view and choose their own wines from around 40,000 bottles of the world’s finest and rarest vintages. The modern European menu, created by head chef Justin Saunders, has subtle South African influences and focuses on grilled steaks, British meats and exceptional cheeses.
Neleen Strauss
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My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
If somebody doesn’t like turkey is it means it doesn’t taste good for others?
Vi @ Travel Tips´s last blog ..Whale watching Sydney: 2009 season whale sightings update
Turkey or Steak? I think it depends on what you are in the mood for as to which tastes better at any given time. However, if they refuse to serve turkey over the Christmas period, those businesses who might have gone there for departmental lunches on a Christmas theme might be looking for somewhere else this year.
Of course there is a trend to have a Christmas lunch these days that doesn’t include turkey, so as to not ruin the best meal of the year when the 25th December comes around. I remember some years when by the time I sit down with the family on Christmas Day, I have already had 3 or more turkey dinners, and have already had my fill.
Tony´s last blog ..Our Christmas Trip Is Finally Coming Together