Mann Made Media have been working with SA Tourism and Ogilvy to create a new web video series to highlight the best that South Africa has to offer – from luxury getaways to unique destinations, showcasing delicious signature dishes from Top SA chefs along the way.

Two successful seasons of the web campaign have already been completed. The first season featured style guru and world-renowned party planner Colin Cowie. Colin is originally from South Africa, and has a client list that includes, JLo, Steven Spielberg, Oprah, Tom Cruise and even Hugh Hefner – to name but a few.

Colin arrived in South Africa and checked in to his favourite Johannesburg hotel, “The Westcliff” for a welcome cocktail party. The culinary journey began here.

Colin then headed out to Molori Game Lodge in Madikwe for a few days of ultimate relaxation. The outstanding service and extravagant setting made Molori a destination to remember. Colin invited his long-time celebrity friend, chef Rocco Dispirito, for this part of the trip. Rocco thoroughly enjoyed his first trip into the “bush”.

The next stop on the culinary journey took Colin to the fabulous 12 Apostles Hotel in Cape Town.

The Twelve Apostles Hotel appears to stand “at the edge of the world”. On one side, a line of majestic mountains, The Twelve Apostles, reaches towards the heavens; on the other, the sun sets on the crashing Atlantic rollers.

Colin headed out to the heart of Stellenbosch, to taste some of the award-winning wines of the Tokara wine farm. Tokara is a sophisticated contemporary wine farm and features some renowned blends in its range. Colin was impressed by the quality of the world-class wine on offer.

After tasting some delicious wines, Colin enjoyed lunch at one of his favourite wine farms in Cape Town, Vergelegen Estate. Colin chatted with the Managing Director, Don E. Tooth, about the history and legacy of this famous Estate.

For dinner, Colin visited the restaurant Pigalle for some seafood, peri-peri style. Along with their delicious cuisine, the restaurant served a unique beer from Portugal named “Rafael”, regarded as the “Moët” of beer – served in wine glasses and complementing the food perfectly. Pigalle restaurant overlooks the nightly hustle and bustle of Somerset Road in Greenpoint, Cape Town. This stunning 300-seater restaurant oozes glamour, has a spacious dance floor and a live band every evening.

The next day featured a short drive out of Cape Town to the idyllic town of Franschoek, in the heart of the Cape winelands. Colin was here to explore the top-class restaurants and chefs that are on offer. The first stop was the restaurant “Reubens’”, where Colin cooked a dish with award-winning, up-and-coming restauranteur Reuben Riffel.

Dinner was at the famous ‘le Quartier Francais’. Colin met with another award-winning chef, Margot Janse, and she cooked us some of her exquisite dishes that are a unique fusion of African and French culinary traditions.

Colin flew to the town of George on the beautiful Garden Route, and arrived at Tsala Treetop Lodge. The majestic lodge is situated between Knysna and Plettenberg bay and is surrounded by the Tsitsikamma forest.

There are many great sights to see and activities to do near George, and the next stop, “The Elephant Sanctuary”, was an unforgettable opportunity to get up close to elephants and literally touch them.

Next up was a bit of thrill-seeking as Colin experienced “treetopping” in the Tsitsikamma forest, sailing from tree to tree on slender cables high above the ground – all perfectly safe, of course!

A little further along the Garden Route was Colin’s final stop: lunch with one of his oldest friends (and his first boss!) restaurant-owner Enrico. Enrico’s restaurant is situated in Keurboomstrand, Plettenberg bay, situated with a spectacular view of the sea, where the ingredients for much of his outstanding food is sourced.

Travelling with the irrepressible Colin Cowie was a lesson in “Everything, all the time, at 180miles an hour”. As demanding as the shooting schedule proved to be, it was a pleasure to work with SA tourism and one of the world’s greatest style gurus.

Look out for our next Case Study, recalling the second season of this campaign featuring celebrity Ethiopian-born chef Marcus Samuellson.