Anyone know what happened to Ben, he left Oranjemund and last I heard he was at the Lobsterpot in Belville Cape Town.
He always used to wear traditional dutch Cloggs, and made fantastic "Bitte Bolen"
Clive
I remember Ben van Etten. During the late 70's he worked at some Dutch Restaurant in Bellville and we popped in there one day for lunch. He made the most delicious "kroukette". It is basically mashed potato, cylinder shaped and dipped in crumbs and then deep fried.
Charmain
Wow Charmaine, that's a food that I had forgotten about, I think I last had those things about 20 years ago.... thanks for the memory..... ;D
Ai shame, all together now AAAAAAh!
Paula
:D
Now if there's one bloke that can say his surname corrolates with his job - that's Ben VAN ETTEN. German? Dutch?
Bens Croquettes were his speciality, never to be topped
He treated me with them when ever i wanted
Its great to see I was not the only one who enjoyed Ben's food.
We also used to make sure that if we were working overtime or out on a breakdown we timed it to we could have a meal at Affenrucken mess, and usuallu a game of snooker or two before eating.
If I remember correctly the croquettes were a mix of potato and veal .. the only other place where i have found croquettes on the menu in CT was at Alexandras in the link at Claremont .. if I was in the area and had time I would order the croquettes . still not Bens croquettes but a happy reminder ..
Hi
Ben sold his share in the resturant in about 1980 or so and went to Canada. He has been there for nearly 25 year and is now living in a small town called Mission in British Columbia, Canada. I am still in touch with him and can pass on email, phone details if anyone wants. He had or still has his own resturant.
Cheers
Malcolm
Malcolm,
Be nice if you can get Ben to join and give us some of his recollections, because I am sure he would have a whole lot of stories to tell.
Give him my regards for sure.
Clive Symes
Just scanned...
Quote from: mbertoni on October 27, 2007, 08:01:18 AM
Hi
Ben sold his share in the resturant in about 1980 or so and went to Canada. He has been there for nearly 25 year and is now living in a small town called Mission in British Columbia, Canada. I am still in touch with him and can pass on email, phone details if anyone wants. He had or still has his own resturant.
Cheers
Malcolm
Hi there Malcolm posted the photo's you requested about 2 weeks ago send you an e-mail let me know how things are progressing "the book"
greatings Alfred
Hi Alfred
Thanks for that. I'll be waiting with bated breath or something like that.
Ben emailed me last week. He is in Holland for a few weeks as his sister is rather ill. I passed on everyone's hellos.
Regards
Malcolm
Malcolm, pls pass onto Ben, the Sites address..
Thanks
Mike
Hi Mike
Done!
I told Ben that he had better have a look at the site and post some comments as he is famous for his great croquettes and now has to live up to that fame.
Cheers
Malcolm
Thanks Malcolm.... mmmh! I wonder if he'll part with a recipe or two?
idontknow
faceinfood
Here is a scan from The Newsletter in '77 for Bens restaurant in ZA!
All you guys that remember Ben. He sent me an email last week. I had emailed him about a month back and this is his reply:
"Malcolm good to hear from you. I cant believe that they are closing Oranjemund down. What about the diamonds that are left behind? I will read your book diamonds and dust. So from 1936 till 2008 that is the life of Oranjemund. Malcolm, I had the domain name http://www.oranjemund.com in 1995 and had it for years until I had let it go. As soon as I can I hope to have freedom to travel and go places I have been before and love to see again.
Greetinx,
BJ
I've sent him a copy of the old advert - bound to bring back very old memories.
Mike, I have asked him if its ok to pass on his email address to you and/or to all the forum members and will let you know. I'm sure he would be thrilled to hear from the old Oranjemunders.
Great Stuff Malcolm.... post away! thnx
Looking forward to being able to contact Ben
Still no Ben......~ abouttime
Ben,
When you read this, please remember how much we all enjoyed the meals & catering you did.
How about passing on your recipe for those Dutch Bitte Bollen
I've told both my daughters how good they were and would love to try and make them like you used to .
Hi all
I got an email from Ben last week and he is happy for me to distribute his email details. I think he would be thrilled to hear from the old Oranjemund people. He said he put up a message in the Guest Book, but I cant see it there. I also said that I have told everyone what a great cook he was so he had better check this site regularly after all the build-up.
His email address is: Ben van Etten, bjve@bjve.com
Malcolm