Ben van Etten - Chef at Affenrucken

[Clive Symes]

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"

[Charmain Meier (Heusdens)]

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

[Michael Alexander]

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

[Julie Vice (Willson)]

Ai shame, all together now AAAAAAh!

Paula
:D

[Dalene Steenkamp (Coetzee)]

Now if there's one bloke that can say his surname corrolates with his job - that's Ben VAN ETTEN.  German? Dutch?

[georgswa (Georg Ruf) (RIP)]

Bens Croquettes were his speciality, never to be topped

He treated me with them when ever i wanted

[Clive Symes]

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.

[SandyB]

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 ..

[Malcolm Bertoni]

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

[Clive Symes]

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

[Michael Alexander]

Just scanned...

[Alfred Boehme]

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

[Malcolm Bertoni]

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

[Michael Alexander]

Malcolm, pass onto Ben, the Sites address..

Thanks
Mike

[Malcolm Bertoni]

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