From Cookbooks to Cooking Classes

👋 Hello Hermanus - a new week and another round of local stories that reflect the heart of our town.

If you’re reading this on Thursday morning, you thankfully remembered to charge your phone ahead of the planned power maintenance ;)

As the year settles into its natural rhythm, Hermanus continues to move at its own steady pace. The days feel a little calmer, routines are back in full swing, and there’s a renewed focus on balance between work, family, wellbeing and community. It is often in these quieter moments that the true character of our town shines brightest.

This week, we turn our attention to flavour, fresh ideas and the people adding something special to everyday life in Hermanus. From seasonal cooking inspiration to new professional services in town, it is once again a reminder of how local businesses shape the way we live, eat, connect and care for ourselves.

In this week’s edition, we’re serving up:

🌿 Business of the Week: Christine Capendale - recipe developer, food stylist and cooking class host bringing fresh flavour and inspiration to Hermanus kitchens.

🦷 New in Town: Dentist Duan Thirion of HealthSmile opens his doors in Hermanus.

📆 What’s On in Hermanus: Your guide to local events, markets, live music and community happenings this week.

🌤️ Your Weather: A quick look at what’s ahead so you can plan walks, swims and time outdoors.

Here’s to local stories, fresh beginnings and the people who continue to shape Hermanus in meaningful ways.

The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Love local stories? Share The Scoop with a friend at hermanusscoop.co.za – it’s free and it’s lekker.

🏡 Property of the Week - Presented by Greeff Properties

Looking for ocean views or a mountainside retreat?

Each week, we spotlight a standout listing that captures the unique charm and lifestyle of the Overberg. From ocean-view escapes to tucked-away treasures, these are the homes that inspire imagination - and maybe even your next move. Brought to you by Greeff Properties, trusted specialists in exceptional real estate across the Overberg.

Exclusive Vermont Home

Set in the heart of sought-after Vermont, this spacious three-bedroom home presents a compelling blend of scale, flexibility and coastal lifestyle - an exclusive opportunity where value and potential take centre stage.

The home opens into generous, airy living spaces anchored by a striking double-volume living area, immediately creating a sense of openness. The layout flows effortlessly between living, dining and entertainment areas, making it equally suited to relaxed family living or hosting on a larger scale.

👉 View the property here.

🥘 Business of the week: Christine Capendale

If you have ever wished cooking could feel simpler, healthier, and more inspiring, then Christine Capendale is someone you will want to meet. A recipe developer, food stylist, cookbook author, and cooking class host, Christine has built a creative business rooted in flavour, seasonal living, and helping others feel confident and joyful in the kitchen.

Christine’s journey began at Stellenbosch University, where she studied BSc Home Economics and Dietetics. Although she never formally practised as a dietician, the principles of balanced, nourishing food have always shaped the way she cooks and develops recipes. Her training laid a strong foundation in understanding ingredients, nutrition, and how food makes us feel. She also spent several years teaching, which sparked a lasting love for sharing knowledge in a practical, accessible way. Today, that passion comes alive through the relaxed, flavour-led cooking classes she runs in Hermanus, where guests are encouraged to cook with curiosity rather than fear.

Having shared her love of food for more than three decades, Christine’s work has grown organically over time. Recipe development came instinctively, eventually leading to four published cookbooks that reflect her philosophy of approachable, wholesome cooking. From there, her creative path expanded into food styling and content creation. She now works with brands and publications to develop recipes and produce visually compelling food stories. For Christine, the process is holistic. She enjoys shaping an idea, building layers of flavour, and then bringing the final dish to life visually in a way that feels fresh and inviting. What started as small passion projects has evolved into a thoughtful small business grounded in creativity, connection, and a genuine love for food.

Christine moved to Hermanus a few years ago, drawn by the slower pace, strong sense of community, and extraordinary natural surroundings. She describes living here as creatively nourishing. The changing seasons, access to beautiful local produce, and the coastal lifestyle all influence the way she cooks and creates. There is a rhythm to life in Hermanus that aligns perfectly with her seasonal approach to food.

What makes Christine’s business stand out locally is her refreshing and balanced approach. Her recipes are seasonal, healthy, and easy to make, yet never predictable. She loves adding a fresh twist to familiar dishes, keeping them interesting without making them complicated or intimidating. Her cooking classes are constantly evolving, inspired by travel, global cuisines, and emerging food trends, all thoughtfully adapted for real life and the wonderful ingredients available in the Overberg. It is this mix of creativity, practicality, and flavour that resonates so strongly with the Hermanus community, where people value quality, authenticity, and food that feels good.

Christine’s contribution to the local community extends beyond her classes. By working with local suppliers and collaborating with nearby businesses such as Klein River Cheese and surrounding wine farms, she actively supports the local economy and encourages her clients to buy local. Her food experiences are not only enjoyable but educational, empowering people to cook more confidently and embrace healthier eating habits at home.

For Christine, one of the greatest joys of running a business in Hermanus is the people. She loves how curious and open the community is, and how eager they are to learn, experiment, and embrace inspiration. There is a willingness here to try something new, whether it is a different ingredient, a fresh technique, or a modern take on a classic dish.

At its heart, Christine’s business is about creating delicious, practical, and visually beautiful food experiences. Whether she is developing recipes for brands, styling dishes for campaigns, writing, or hosting hands-on cooking classes, her goal remains the same: helping people enjoy cooking, feel confident in the kitchen, and discover the pleasure of food that is both nourishing and full of flavour.

To learn more about Christine Capendale and her upcoming classes and projects, visit:

Website:https://christinecapendale.com/
Follow Christine on Instagram and Facebook for inspiring recipes:
https://www.instagram.com/christinecapendale/
https://www.facebook.com/christinecapendalefoodie/

🦷 New in Town: HealthSmile

We’d like to welcome Duan Thirion and the team at HealthSmile Dental Practice to Hermanus.

You can find them at 55 Main Road in Northcliff.

To schedule your appointment, give them a call today on 028 312 1213 or email [email protected]. za.

🌿 Events in Hermanus 🌿

There’s a lot on the go in Hermanus to help you make the most of your days this week…

🩸 Please Donate Blood
📍Grobbelaar Hall, Marine Drive | Thursday 12 February 2026 | 14:30 - 19:00

Eat substantial meal 3-4 hours before donating blood, drink lots of fluids before, during and after donation and take it easy on the exercise after donation.

💕 Valentine’s Day at Benguela Cove
📍Benguela Cove | Saturday 14 February 2026 | 18:00
🎟 Tickets R1000 pp - Booking 079 833 8811
👉 Book here: https://account.dineplan.com/widgetframe/rk75Lh4d?date=2026-02-14

Celebrate love in all its forms this Saturday, 14 February 2026 at the Moody Lagoon Restaurant. With tranquil lagoon views and surrounding vineyards, this curated Valentine’s dining experience is designed to be savoured and shared.

💕 Minette du Toit-Pearce and Marika Hofmeyr in concert
📍Hermanus Civic Auditorium | Sunday 15 February 2026 | 15:30
🎟 Tickets R250 pp or R170 for OAK members
👉 Book here: René du Plooy on 082 940 4238 or at [email protected]

Minette and Marika met in October 2022 to record Nagmusiek, a CD dedicated to South African Art Song. Featuring works by Hendrik Hofmeyr and Arnold van Wyk, it was chosen as Contemporary CD of the Week by France Musique, the national French classical radio, and received critical acclaim. Inspired by their harmonious collaboration, they are currently preparing a new album around Lieder by Hendrik Hofmeyr, including his very latest Sewe studies op gedigte van Breyten Breytenbach. 

💕 Community Information Evening - Bantamsklip Nuclear Development
📍Sandbaai Hall | Wednesday 18 February 2026 | 18:00
🎟 Open to the public - Free Entry

🌊 Free Bodyboarding Clinic at Voëlklip

The crew from Cape Winelands Bodyboarding are heading to Voëlklip and everyone’s invited.

🌊 Got a bodyboard? Come boogie!
🇿🇦 No board? No problem — come learn!

They’re hosting FREE bodyboard clinic open to all ages. 

📍 Voëlklip Beach, Hermanus
📅 28 February 2026
💬 For more info, contact The Boogie Shack via Instagram:
👉 https://www.instagram.com/theboogieshackza/

🌿 The Usuals

Mikro Coffee 6am Run Friday Run Club

🗓 Every Friday · 06:00
📍 Mikro Coffee, Aberdeen Street

Join us every Friday at 6am for a relaxed 5KM fun run

Hermanus Country Market

🗓 Every Saturday · 09:00 – 14:00
📍 Hermanus Cricket Club

Artisan stalls, live music, great food, fresh produce, local crafts and a warm, family-friendly vibe - a staple Saturday tradition for both locals and visitors.

Saturday | Hermanus ParkRun 🏃
🗓 Every Saturday · 08:00
📍 Hermanus Forest, Camphill Road, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Start your weekend with a scenic 5km trail run (or walk). Free to join.

Saturday | Benguela Cove ParkRun 🏃 
🗓 Saturday · 08:00
📍 Benguela Cove, R43, Botriver Lagoon, Hermanus Another beautiful 5km trail run (or walk) along the lagoon. Free to join - just register online at parkrun.co.za.

🎒 Schools

What a week it has been. With all the rain that bucketed down across Hermanus, we can safely assume most schools experienced some delays, whether it was sports practices, matches, athletics training or general outdoor activities being postponed.

Word on the street is that things are slowly drying out and just in time, because it sounds like there are a few Valentine’s Day dances happening around town at various schools for certain grades. After a week of rain, a little music and dancing sounds like perfect timing.

Athletics:

A big shoutout and best of luck to all the athletes from Hoërskool Hermanus taking part this Saturday in the Suid-Boland Atletiek meeting.

The official program confirms the event takes place on 14 February 2026, with a full day of track and field events running from early morning through to the afternoon. see full schedule and map below for 14 Feb:

🌤️ Weather Forecast for Hermanus

After all the rain during the past weekHermanus is in for a cooler, more changeable stretch over the next few days, with cloud cover, a few showers, and that familiar coastal unpredictability in the mix. Daytime temperatures sit around the high teens to low 20s through the weekend, offering a softer summer feel before things start warming up again early next week.

Thursday through Saturday bring the most unsettled conditions, with light rain expected on Friday and Saturday in particular. Winds pick up slightly over the weekend, making it a good time for flexible plans, cosy cafés, and keeping a light layer nearby.

From Sunday onward, the forecast shifts back toward sunshine and rising temperatures. By midweek, Hermanus is heading into a much warmer spell, with highs climbing into the upper 20s and even low 30s by Thursday.

⸻

Thursday 12 February
Mild and mostly cloudy with gentle coastal conditions. ☁️
20°C / 18°C Winds up to 9 / 8 m/s Rain 0.2 mm

Friday 13 February
Cooler with showers moving through and a more wintry summer mood. 🌧️
19°C / 17°C Winds 7 / 4 m/s Rain 3 mm

Saturday 14 February
A mixed day with lingering cloud, light rain, and brighter breaks later on. 🌦️
20°C / 15°C Winds 11 / 7 m/s Rain 1.5 mm

Sunday 15 February
Sun returns with a calmer, warmer summer day unfolding. ☀️
25°C / 15°C Winds 7 / 6 m/s

Monday 16 February
A noticeable warm-up, with clear skies and real summer energy back in town. ☀️
29°C / 16°C Winds 7 / 1 m/s

Tuesday 17 February
Still warm, slightly more cloud drifting in, but ideal beach weather. 🌤️
24°C / 18°C Winds 4 / 1 m/s

Wednesday 18 February
Another bright and warm day with coastal comfort and sunshine. 🌤️
27°C / 18°C Winds 4 / 1 m/s

-

Overall, it’s a classic Hermanus week of contrast: cooler, cloudier days to start, followed by a steady return to sunshine and late-summer heat. Keep the umbrella close for Friday, and the sunscreen ready again by Sunday.

Spotted in the Overberg: Photo of the Week

Each week, we feature one special snap submitted by someone who calls this place home. From misty morning walks to playful pups on the beach - we want to see what you see.

And here’s the perk: every featured photographer gets a free flat white on us - in partnership with Molo Coffee. So send in your best shot to [email protected], and you might just sip your way to local fame.

That’s a wrap for this week’s Scoop!

Stay powered-up, dry and we’ll catch you next week!

- The Hermanus Scoop Team 🐋

P.S. Want to be featured in the Scoop? Drop us a mail at [email protected] - we’d love to hear from you.

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