Ina Paarman

What I love most about living in Cape Town is the scenery, the greenery, the people and and the fresh air!

When out-of-towners come to town, I love to entertain them in our garden at home (and show off my herb garden). If any good theatre is showing, I’ll take them to a show.

The best restaurant meal I’ve eaten recently was at The Test Kitchen – the food is always superbly prepared and served with flair.

For a casual lunch with a great view, you can’t beat Constantia Glen’s light lunch and wine tasting.

I don’t eat out often enough. We enjoy cooking at home.

An annual event you’ll always find me at are the open-air concerts at Kirstenbosch, for the music, mood and the beautiful garden.

I don’t watch much TV but I do enjoy Gordon Ramsay!

My favourite weekend getaways are charming Greyton, easy-breakaway Spier and if we want to spoil ourselves for a very special occasion, Bushman’s Kloof is superb.

On my bucket list to still do in the Cape is Table Mountain – I have never been up! I’d also love to visit more local art exhibitions and browse more farmers’ markets in the surrounding areas.

In my spare time, I read, potter around the garden and visit a friend in Stilbaai.

The best coffee in Cape Town is from Four&Twenty in Chelsea Village, Wynberg – divine pastries and sweet bites.

My best after-work drinks spot is the Mount Nelson. Also good is The Wijnhuis in Newlands, and for a hard-to-beat experience of sitting under the oaks on a glorious day, Groot Constantia.

The best walks in Cape Town are to be found at Kirstenbosch, Groot Constantia, Constantia’s Green Belt and Bo-Kaap.

My favourite wine for a special occasion is Constantia Glen’s Constantia Saddle, and all the wines in the Spier 21 Gables range are good.

The best books I’ve read recently are The End of Your Life Bookclub by Will Schwalbe, because it is so relevant at the moment, as I have a friend who is dying of pancreatic cancer; Summertime by JM Coetzee – I love his work and slightly cynical style; Khalil’s Journey by Ashraf Kagee – a real Cape Town story and a must-read; Karretjiemense by Carol Campbell – a story about the hardships of ordinary people in the Karoo (also available in English); The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery – a moving story about a humble hidden gem of a woman with a wonderful mind; Black Diamonds by Catherine Bailey – a well-researched eye-opener about English history.

The best movies I’ve seen recently are Something’s Gotta Give (with Jack Nicholson) and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – I like movies that make me laugh. I also enjoyed Judi Dench in Philomena, which is more serious and thought-provoking.

I’m currently busy developing new products for our gourmet food range and also for export to the Middle East, New Zealand and Australia.

On Sundays we go for a walk, braai for lunch, and nap in the afternoon.

Cooking is something I enjoy doing with my son over weekends. He’s an excellent cook with a real feel for flavours that match.

Straight after this, I’m finishing the day’s correspondence.

One day I hope to have time to really smell the roses!