Win With The Secret Ingredient, Meet Private Chef Sarah Alexander

Win With The Secret Ingredient, Meet Private Chef Sarah Alexander

Meet Private Chef and Curator of Confectionery: Sarah Alexander

Red Velvet Cupcake - Cape Town Insider

Today’s post is one that I’ve been wanting to do for a long time – it’s an interview with my favourite private chef – Sarah Alexander. Starting your own business is no small undertaking and Sarah, who I’ve known for over 15 years, is making a success of it. Coming from a small town in Natal and taking on Cape Town’s foodie scene is not easy – I must say, I’m impressed!

We chatted to Sarah to ask her a few questions, tried to get her to reveal some of her secrets and convinced her to do a fabulous giveaway that we know everyone will love!

So, who are you Sarah?

 My name is Sarah Alexander, owner and founder of The Secret Ingredient.

I am a Silwood graduate with a post-graduate diploma in enterprise management.

The Secret Ingredient represents a group of passionate people, situated in the City Bowl of Cape Town, that specialise in creating personalised cakes, desserts and wedding favours. Our secret lies in our ability to cater to the individual requirements of each of our clients while always using only the best ingredients.

We are determined to create the sweet delights of your dreams, and we do not limit ourselves by shapes, sizes, designs or characters. We are constantly striving to increase our repertoire by being adventurous, innovative and creative. In addition, your desserts or cakes will be delivered to you anywhere in Cape Town.

The Private cheffing part of my company is designed to offer the best food and service.   You and your guests won’t need to worry about a thing.  We will make sure your fridge is fully stocked and you have absolutely everything you need to make you feel right at home.

Wedding Cake - Private Chef

What is your favourite part of your day?

The favourite part of my day has to be first thing in the morning as just before the sun comes up.  I find it to be the calmest part of the day.

What favourite projects have you been working on recently?

Recently I have been working on making people out of icing….  Its been really challenging but a great deal of fun.

What fun projects do you have coming up?

In the next couple of weeks I will be focusing a lot of my time to recipe testing.  This is what I like to use the quiet time (winter) for.  All recipes that I come across and haven’t had time to make find their way onto the table for a critique by my boyfriend.

What do you do when you’re not working?

When I am not working / baking I am more than likely doing some form of exercise.  I enjoy being fit and believe in balancing my work and Sas (that’s me) time.

*Sarah’s being modest – in addition to triathlons and yearly Argus cycles – while we were still at school she cycled from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town…

And lastly, what is the Secret Ingredient?

Some one very special once said to me “cook with love”  and that is what I do everyday.  In each and every cake, cupcake pastry, you will find love.  That is my secret ingredient.

Get in Contact with Sarah:

Website: http://www.thesecretingredient.co.za/

Telephone: 0837119218

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @secretsweets

Facebook: The Secret Ingredient

Competition Time on Cape Town Insider!

Sarah is giving away a dozen cupcakes of her most delicious cupcakes to one lucky entrant, enter below!

To enter the competition:

1) Please follow The Secret Ingredient and Cape Town Insider on Twitter

2) ”Win with @SecretSweets on @CapeTownInsider – a dozen cupcakes delivered to you! Enter here: http://goo.gl/qK0IG”

3) Tell us, in the comments below, why you NEED these cupcakes!

Note: Delivery applies to central Cape Town (CBD and Southern Suburbs)

Competition Closes on Friday 27/07

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  • http://www.thehighroad.co.za Nadine @highroadwines

    I seriously need these cupcakes! My husband’s birthday was on the 11th of July and mine on the 13th of July and we always have a party on the 12th. This year was the first year that we didn’t have a cake, as I just didn’t get time to organise it. In our group of friends we are traditionally the two who splurge on cakes and always have the best cake. So please let us make this up to our friends by winning the cupcakes and sharing them in a late celebration!

  • Lorien Amy @lolabythesea

    I have twin 4 year olds and they are always getting treats. Everyone loves children. How often do mommies get treats? Once a year on Mothers Day. Ha ha. I would love to win these to share with my family. Single moms + cupcakes = win.

  • Daina Lee

    Hi There, i ABSOLUTLEY LOVE your cupcakes!! Yummmy!!! Not only because they taste DIVINE but because they look absolutley amazing!! Not many of us appreciate the art of baking but when it comes to your cakes i certainly do! I will be leaving my current employer soon and would love to share your cupcakes with my staff at my farewell!! This would be an awesome treat for all of them!! Hope i am lucky xx, Continue doing what you doing, my motto in life is KEEP CALM AND HAVE A CUPCAKE!! Go well!!

  • kelsey

    I just really love cupcakes

  • http://www.bow-peep.co.za Leila

    Cupcakes are the best! ALso The Secret Ingredient sounds like a great company.

  • https://twitter.com/#!/bestcapetownSA Lisa Huang

    These cupcakes are beautiful! I have been working to start my own business for the past 6months as well, so I totally understand the hardwork Sarah has devoted to founding Secret Ingredients! It’s hard to juggle a full-time job, family, and realizing your dream vision. But it is such a fulfilling experience and I will love to share these cupcakes with friends & family who supported me all the way!

  • Kashmiri

    It was my 30th b’day on 17 July and I only had my 4 year old to celebrate with (family are in Durban).
    Not to mention my really bad sweet tooth!

  • Heather

    My husband will absolutely leave me if I do not get my hands on more of your cupcakes!! We absolutely love love LOVE these fabulous pieces of heaven and I have no intention of sharing it with my 3yr old again.. :-)

  • REHANA SEEDAT

    My brother who lives in central Cape Town has a sweet tooth, he loves yummylicious cookies & cakes. He is presently divorced and unemployed(unfortunately he does not have anybody to cook or bake for him), I would love to win these cupcakes for him. A delivery of your awesome treats would sure make his day!

  • Carina

    I’ve just moved to Cape Town from Gauteng (Cape Town is fantastic!) and these cupcakes would be an amazing welcoming gift in the new apartment :)

  • Marina

    I need these cupcakes to cheer up my friend, neighbour and colleague who is celebrating her birthday on Sunday, 22/7. She just recovered from measles i.e. sleeping 18 hours a day, and started her MBA semester last night which means that there is just not enough hours in the day to actually bake divine goodies!

  • http://www.indigogirl.co.za Jackie Buss

    I dont think my reasons for wanting these amazingly beautifully delicious looking cupcakes are better than any one elses here.. I just love cupcakes :)

  • Yaaseen Barnes

    im the only boy, the baby of the family, the “laat lametjie”, still at home with parents and all the siblings are married with kids, so every friday when the family tries to meet up, a baking contest goes down, every household brings their cakes and treats and they compete. I never enter as im a flop in the kitchen,iv tried countless times, I’ve flopped more times than Hestrie Cloete. LOL. In this past week alone we’ve had 3 birthdays in my family and because I’m still studying I couldn’t afford to get anyone of them anything. and with 14 in a family a of sweet tooths, your cupcakes would be greatly appreciated. [and it would make me the winner forever in my family's books]
    THANK YOU.

  • https://twitter.com/LeighRamsaySA Leigh Ramsay

    Sarah, I’ve admired your work from a distance but never had the pleasure of actually tasting your culinary delights. They look absolutely spectacular! I’m studying to be a chef and would LOVE to sample Cape Town’s finest. You’ve set the bar you know :)

  • http://capetowninsider.co.za KathR

    Woohoo! Competition closed! Thanks for all the entries, and the winner is: Nadine! Congratulations!