Portland Manor celebrated Women’s Day this year with a ladies’ lunch at the recently opened Cowshed eatery, the hotel’s onsite restaurant. An overwhelming response to the invitation saw a total of 83 guests booking tables of two to 10 ladies.
Women’s Day (9 August) was sunny and warm in Knysna, perfect for a welcome glass of bubbly on the expansive lawn in front of the hotel, where the event kicked off with a fascinating demonstration by local garden designer Hannes Stander of Ecozest floral and garden designs. Based in Bibby’s Hoek, not far from Portland Manor, the Ecozest duo is well known in the Garden Route and beyond for magnificent floral installations at restaurants, weddings, and other events, and for exquisite landscaping. Hannes’s demo on how to plant the ultimate container garden was informative and inspiring. The cry of a fish eagle flying overhead set the tone for a wonderful event!
After the demo, the ladies took their seats in the Cowshed eatery where the tables had been beautifully laid and decorated by the Cowshed team. Vintage teapots and milk jugs on loan from Totties Farm Kitchen were filled with wildflowers picked by restaurant manager Deboné, and proteas donated by local protea farm, Terana. Each lady received a gift of biscuits baked by pastry chef Najma, wrapped in cellophane, and tagged with a quote relevant to Women’s Day.
The main course was a choice between four delicious dishes: Sheep shearer’s pie; Teriyaki glazed pork belly; Chicken breast parmigiana; and Vegan forest mushroom bruschetta. Dessert was a scrumptious Lemon curd and passion fruit meringue. Guests were entertained with live music by Suzi Leigh and a lucky draw raffle took place with generous prizes sponsored by various local shops and suppliers.
We’ve received wonderful feedback about our Women’s Day event and would like to make it an annual happening. Thank you to these sponsors for contributing to the success of the day:
- The Turbine Hotel & Spa
- DCD Laserworx
- Wild Iris Designer Clothing & Shoes
- The Gathershop
- Princess Jams
- Nourish Natural Soaps
- Terana Protea Farm
Click here to see upcoming events at Portland Manor.
