Stanford Sweet Sponge Queen

Stanford Sweet Sponge Queen

A passion for baking stirred by her grandmother has led to Stanford local Jacoline Louw participating in the first Stanford Culinary Festival in September 2022.  Jacoline was one of the foodies to present a Dine With A Local experience offering a personal, hands-on cooking class that is interactive.  The guests eat the food prepared while listening to the stories told about the area, its people and produce.  It is a window into the culture that is not always accessible to visitors but very much part of a travelling trend where travellers wish to engage with the people in an authentic way.

Jacoline is famous for her lamingtons, squares of sponge cake dipped in chocolate and coconut.  She served this delicacy recently when Irish businessman Jarlath Sweeney visited Stanford to retrace the steps of Sir Robert Stanford who was born close to Jarlath’s hometown of Claremorris.  Jacoline’s baking skills support the Overstrand’s acknowledgment as an UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.  We look forward to seeing more of Jacoline and her treats.