Picture this: Alfresco dining under the Provence sun, spectacular Mediterranean Sea and mountain views, a glass of rosé in hand… Is there anything that sounds more appealing right now?
At Parc du Cap, our luxury penthouse residences each come with stylish and spacious entertaining areas, both indoors and outdoors. Above all, entertaining is made particularly special on the private roof terraces and by the infinity pools of the penthouses. In this setting, you can make the most of enjoying local delicacies and wines with family and friends. And, if you seriously want to impress, why not get your lunch or dinner party catered?
In this blog we speak to French Riviera chef, Amanda Hollingworth, who tells us about her private catering company 7XYUM. Further, she indulges us in some special spots for sourcing local delicacies and enjoying fabulous dining locations.
Tell us about your catering business and cooking style?
I am a Mediterranean fusion chef with over 12 years’ experience in the catering business. As head chef and founder of boutique food company, 7XYUM, my focus is on great tasting, healthy cuisine. That is to say, I prefer using the finest ingredients available on the Côte d’Azur and nearby Italy. I like to provide the best of fusion cooking, using the best, fresh, local organic ingredients from the region.
My inspiration for cooking has come from the likes of Ottolenghi, Nigel Slater, and similar chefs. Consequently, I tend to develop my own style based on their type of recipes. At 7XYUM, we combine clean, healthy, pure flavours and food combinations, creating big and unique flavours. All of this is inspired by the glorious sunshine, sea and mountains of the South of France.
Where are your favourite places to wine and dine in Provence?
The Côte d’Azur is wonderfully abundant with a line-up of fabulous spots to wine and dine! Certainly, the Michelin starred restaurants are where I really enjoy eating as it’s where I gain gastronomy inspiration. However, I love Cannes and the Boulevard de la Croisette – the iconic boulevard along the Mediterranean Sea. There are some brilliant beach restaurants there, which are ideal for taking a dip in the turquoise sea after lunch.
My favourite restaurants are 314 Plage or Vegaluna – both situated on the Boulevard de la Croisette. I also frequently venture into the magnificent Alpes-Maritimes to Èze or further along the coastline to Villefranche-sur-Mer. In addition, the glitz and glamour of Monaco always makes for a great experience.
Tell us about the top regional delicacies to enjoy
I would highly recommend a visit to the Marché Forville at the eastern end of La Croisette in Cannes. The market offers a fantastic foodie experience and array of local goodies. For instance, delicious fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, seafood, olive oil, flowers and much more.
I always love picking up incredibly ripe tomatoes and basil or freshly caught seafood, such as seabass, prawns or sea urchins. These provide the perfect spread to serve up on your terrace as a delicious lunch for friends and family. In the same vein, in Nice you can find ‘socca’ bars. This is a local delicacy – a chickpea pancake served with white pepper. And it is truly delicious! Socca goes down particularly well with a glass of chilled rosé and is also a hit with visiting guests.
Where do you like to visit outside the Provençal cities?
There are some wonderful places away from the hustle and bustle of the cities on the French Riviera. I think it’s absolutely worth getting out of the big towns and heading into the countryside. For instance, you can visit some of the more traditional and charming regions with ‘villages-perchés’. To clarify, these are medieval villages perched high on mountain ridges which were originally built around castles.
Most importantly, these hidden gems have spectacular views across the surrounding countryside. Moreover, each ‘villages-perché’ has its own unique architecture and decorative features. On the cobbled streets you can find local specialties like honey, olive oil, truffles, and dried spices. Further, an absolute must is to visit some of the vineyards and indulge in some wine tasting. This is essential for presenting your chosen tipples to guests during a memorable alfresco dining evening on your roof terrace!
Find out more about catering your get-together
If you are looking to wow your guests with an alfresco dining experience, Amanda can create a menu to remember. For more details, visit the 7XYUM website. For any tips on dining out, our friendly Parc du Cap concierge is always on hand to recommend.
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