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Jeffrey serves a Royal feast on Come Dine With Me SA

Jeffrey serves a Royal feast on Come Dine With Me SA

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2013-10-18
Jeffrey Titus has always loved the 'Come Dine With Me', BBC series. He never dreamt that he would be picked for the new season, which aired last Monday. As an avid family cook, he knew that his rich Jaipur heritage, striking Zach Galifianakis looks and witty personality could wow any sophisticated diner. What he was not prepared for was the harsh criticism and uncultured behaviour from one of the diners, Nqobile, acting on her pre-planned game plan, refused to eat most of the items, which Jeffery served and proceeded to spit his food out.

I guess not even Jeffrey was prepared for that kind of behaviour, he moved to Durban just over a year ago with his new wife from India on a three-year contract for India's biggest bank. While she works in a bank during the day, Jeffrey spends his time sightseeing and learning about our culture.

It was one day while watching television that Jeffrey spotted the advert for 'Come Dine With Me' and he decided to enter.  Within days he had the cameras rolling in his apartment overlooking the beautiful city of Durban. Once he past the confidence tests on camera, he was asked to compile two menus for the series from which they have chosen one winning combination.

The starter of his royal selection was the Malaidaar Chicken Tangri Kebabs. The mains were the selection of Rajasthani spiced daal with baati (baked dumplings dipped in ghee) and Rajasthani Tez Laal Maas Curry with Basmati Rice Zeera. For dessert Jeffrey served a Rajasthani classic, Chaandraat Mein Doobi Kheer, which romantically translates to - moonlight soaked rice pudding.

Everything about Jeffrey's menu hails from his native Rajasthan, which is known throughout the world for its rich and flavoursome heritage. I was served beautifully spiced chai tea with a warm sweet corn salad. It was the first for me to arrive at an interview and to be fed. But to me it just demonstrated Jeffrey's warm and hospitable nature.

"I love Durban," He tells me, "It reminds me so much of where I come from. The climate, the people and off course the food." On the third night of the Come Dine with me, Jeffrey wanted to say that South Africa is a "melting pot of cultures" instead he said "South Africa is a melting pot of curries" to the delight of his diners which entertained everyone to no end.

Jeffrey is available for private functions and can be reached on his email jefferysavio@gmail.com.