Quivertree Publications

Designer-Maker Artisan Market

2011-04-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

Quivertree Publications will be in attendence at the Artisan Easter Market on Saturday 16 April from 09h30 to 1500, at the Freeworld Design Centre, 71 Waterkant St. There will be lovely designer goodies, yummy gourmet treats and wonderful music and atmosphere… This is a public event, so please feel free to pass on this invitation to family and friends.

Bake Announcement

2011-02-09T23:39:00.000-08:00

Craig Frasers speech at the Modern Wineries Literary lunch at Dornier Wine Estate

2011-02-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for being here today, great turnout. Thank you also to Gorry, Wordsworth Books, Cape Times and Dornier Wines.

Libby and myself have a mission for our publishing business. Quivertree aims to produce books that celebrate South African culture, we attempt to discover a unique South African aesthetic, emerging from our diverse background. Our ever growing collection of books discovering design in such diverse places as the mud huts of the old Transkei to the high tech world of the modern wineries. Books such as ‘Mud Chic’, ‘Africanismo’, ‘Hot Afro’ and ‘The New Safari’......... buy them they make a wonderful collection.

If we as SA’s want to establish and cement an identity we need to respect our own achievements and celebrate our own culture.

Libby Doyle, co-owner of Quivertree, is the graphic designer of our books, she turns the ordinary into the extraordinary she is the magician, who puts our books together Libby does the production as well as the marketing.

When considering a title for the book I was very keen to call it ‘New World Wineries’, it seemed appropriate to our specific circumstance. Since SA’s acceptance in to the world economy there has been huge progress and investment in the

wine industry BUT it has gone largely unrecognised by the international book publishing world, especially for our architectural excellence.

HOW DID WE CHOOSE?

The choosing process was guided primarily by innovation, we wanted to include wineries that break the traditional mould, so it was easy to exclude the vast majority of wineries designed in the Cape Dutch style.

The selection process was not complex at all, we were looking for new ideas, people taking a risk, new interpretations of winery architecture. The buildings were not chosen for their ‘genius’, what do I know about how successful a project is? They were selected for their unique approach.

The book aims to excite the reader on an emotional level more than an academic one. Architects, interior designers and developers will definitely be inspired by the book but that is a tiny market and we wanted to make it accesible to a wider audience.

To counterbalance my emotive, visual approach we brought in the expertise of Hugh Fraser an architect and writer. We also asked the ‘president of the SA institute of Architects Al Stratford to write the foreword in which he describes the book as an, “essay on - science and technology, art and culture”.

The book takes the reader into the wonderful sensory world of wine. We can experiece a taste of the lifestyle, we can be part of the dream. The owners of these estates, the architects and winemakers have created worlds which are a wonderful escape. It is a fascinating visual account of the variety and wonders of our wineries in South Africa.

If one considers the above criteria there was not a huge choice in the end, these wineries are the innovators, they are the beginning of a new era. Wine farms are evolving to accomodate new technologies as well as new demands from the public. They are no longer restricted to merely offer a tasting room and tour of the cellar, they have become destinations in themselves, many have restaurants, art galleries and accomodation.

ALITTLE ABOUT MY INTEREST IN DESIGN AND PHOTOGRAPHY

I have always been interested in design but I had better things to do with my time than to study for seven years to become an architect, my father an architect himself, discouraged me, probably because he didn’t want to pay for another seven years of school for another of his children, my oldest brother is an architect too, I had to settle for the next best thing and spend my life taking photographs of architecture.

To be honest my real fascination is with communicating through visuals and playing with light as much as with subject matter. Photography affords one huge opportunity to explore the world and make a living while doing it. I have a degree in journalism from Rhodes University, I am not sure that qualified me to do anything but have a good time. In my final year I specialised in photojournalism, this coupled with having had 14 years experience in commercial photography has given me a unique set of skills.

Early in my career my mentor Roger Bell a highly regarded photographer at the time taught me a vital lesson, one will ony be respected if you specialise.

In 1994 I went out as a freelance photographer with a portfolio of 12 photographs marketing myself as a specialist interiors and architectural photographer, 16 years later I am still learning and loving the challenge of photography.

ABOUT MY APPROACH TO PHOTOGRAPHY

We did feel it was important to give a sense of place so I photographed all the wineries in their setting to illustrate the dialogue with the landscape.

To me the landscape includes all the elements, the earth, the light and sky, I try to bring these elements in, for me a successful photograph will record a moment in time, I try to fascinate the eye, to surprise the viewer, to draw them in.

The single most important element that sets a compelling photograph apart from a snapshot is the light, I am most conscious of the play of light on the subject, all other factors are secondary. My approach could be described as an emotive one rather than intellectual, I get most excited when standing there in the vastness a shaft of light breaks through the cloud and transforms the scene into the extraordinary.

I suppose I am very influenced by my photojournalism training, responding to what happens in front of me rather than trying to manipulate the elements by bringing in artificial lights and props. I like to find the magic in what is there, I do not try to manipulate it.

I still use film for my photography, it is what I know, it is simple, I am mobile and able to change location easily and quickly. My camera is a manual one so I use only shutter speed and aperture with a hand held light meter, i love the idea of capturing a moment. I try to use minimum equipment, travelling light, surveying the subject, pacing around it finding the most pleasing aspect and getting the photograph. I do not do a hundred options, it is a considered approach.

ARCHITECTURAL VS LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY

Architecture and landscape are very different technical challenges, a building for instance does not move in the wind, a landscape has no straight lines, a building presents flat vertical flat surfaces that can be challenging, a landscape has very few reflections like a vast flat surface of a glass window. When photographing the interior of a building there are all sorts of challenges with the colour balance from south facing windows where the light is very blue or the interior tungsten light.

Composition in a landscape can be challenging, often it lacks a focal point. With experience and a keen eye one can use all these various factors to ones advantage, both disciplines are challenging and both equally gratifying when one gets it right.

This journey was an exciting one, I think the concept is unusual and every project I take on brings with it new insights, in a years time I imagine i will approach it slightly differently, that is the beauty of photography one is never 100% satisfied and always has the feeling that it can be improved on.

At this point I would like to introduce you to the multi talented writer, architect and public speaker, Hugh Fraser. I would like to ask Hugh a few questions otherwise he will be up here all afternoon.

HUGH

As an architect give us a sense of the challenges one would face when taking on winery design?

Taking into account what you have just said, Hugh, without hurting anyones feelings, which of the wineries in the book do you feel is particularly successful?

What were the challenges of writing about these buildings?

Hugh with this move away from our very recognisable Cape Dutch heritage do you think that we are losing a bit of local flavour?

Anything important you feel needs to be said? Any questions from the audience?

I would like to thank all the wineries who willinlgy participated. Special mention must also be made of the editor Sally Rutherford who did an incredible job.

Hugh has a short film to show us, a whistle stop tour of his journey while doing the book.

Thank you all.

Christmas Designer Market

2011-01-20T22:42:00.001-08:00

The first of series of Artisan Markets was held at the Cape Waters Building (Waterkant Street) on the 15th of December 2010, and Quivertree Publications were among the many local businesses, including local favourites 'The Book Lounge' and 'The Rhubarb Room', exhibiting on the night.
The Market celebrates the best of creative South Africa, and the Quivertree books were ideal for such an event. With such titles as 'Modern Wineries of South Africa', 'Reuben Cooks' and 'Shack Chic', Quivertree Publications is at the forefront of showcasing inspiring local design.

The evening was a great success, with a large turn out and a wonderfully festive atmosphere. We look forward to taking part in the many of the upcoming markets planned for the coming year

Fun in the Kitchen at la Cucina

2011-01-18T22:46:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the launch of 'Fun in the Kitchen', the book that will get children in the kitchen and inspire a life long love of food, Tina Bester did workshops at la Cucina (Hout Bay). And the children did have fun!

Win!

2011-01-17T01:31:00.001-08:00

Win a copy of 'Africanismo - Interior inspiration of southern Africa' by clicking on this link: http://www.quivertreepublications.com/win/

'Modern Wineries of South Africa' launch

2011-01-14T05:52:00.000-08:00

The launch of 'Modern Wineries of SA' at Love Books in Melville Johannesburg was well attended and all copies of the book at the launch were sold out!
To the right, Author of the book Hugh Fraser. Below, Chloe Coetsee, highly regarded documentary director and Craig Fraser, photographer of Modern Wineries of SA.

Hot Afro featured in the Design Indaba magazine

2010-05-05T06:45:00.001-07:00

Bake Review in the Good Weekend

2010-04-12T06:29:00.000-07:00

2010-03-17T06:13:00.001-07:00

Hot Afro in Habitat magazine

2010-03-16T06:52:00.001-07:00

South Africa Eats in the Sunday Times

2010-03-16T06:48:00.000-07:00

Hot Afro in the Decorex newsletter

2010-03-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

Shack Chic Reissue

2010-02-01T04:48:00.000-08:00

Due to an ongoing demand from both retailers and customers alike, Quivertree Publications is proud to anounce the relaunch of one of our most popular titles, Shack Chic, in a brand new sofcover format

The triumph of artistic tenacity over adversity is brought to life in Craig Fraser's vibrant images which capture the style and innovation of Cape Town's shack dwellers.

Once again South Africa finds itself in the glare of the worlds spotlights, with the onset of the 2010 Football World Cup. This timeley reissue of a classic aims to highlight the unique aesthetic design of South Africas shacklands

'totally mesmerising' The London Magazine

'a startling, immensly beautiful book a creation of a group of stellar South African talents' Sunday Times

Available from the 16th of Feb.

Hot Afro in G&W Magazine

2009-11-23T23:02:00.001-08:00

Hot Afro Launch

2009-11-23T01:25:00.000-08:00

Bake Launch

2009-11-17T04:00:00.000-08:00

THE QUEEN OF TARTS, SHE BAKED SOME TARTS ALL ON A SUMMER’S DAY TO EAT WITH BRILLIANT BRANDIES

The new book that everyone’s talking about is BAKE, by Obz royalty, Queen of Tarts, Tina Bester. Published by Quivertree Publications, the recipe book of delicious cakes, pies, meringues and more, was launched at her landmark trademark eatery in Observatory, Cape Town. Tina prepared five of her favourite recipes, brilliantly paired with five international award-winning connoisseur brandies from the prestige Alchemy of Gold portfolio. Oude Meester Demant was matched with Tina’s signature double chocolate brownies, her melt in the mouth lemon tartlets with Nederburg Solera Potstilled, Klipdrift Gold with apple Tarte Tatin, Van Ryn’s 10 Year Old Vintage with a gorgonzola and roasted naartjie tart and Van Ryn’s 12 Year Old Distillers Reserve with hazelnut and chocolate meringues.

Marlise Potgieter

'Bake' in Good Taste Magazine

2009-11-16T04:38:00.000-08:00

Try it for yourself

'South Africa Eats' launch invitation

2009-11-16T04:24:00.000-08:00

Bake in the Woolworths Taste Magazine

2009-11-16T03:36:00.001-08:00

Hot Afro in Sari Magazine

2009-11-16T01:11:00.000-08:00

Review of Bake in the 'Taste Magazine'

2009-11-11T05:07:00.000-08:00

"Do yourself a favour and buy copies of Bake before they sell out! Beautifully designed and photographed, it perfectly reflects one of Cape Town's best-kept secrets: Tina Bester's charming little coffee shop in Observatory called Queen of Tarts. Tina's passionate about baking and had been perfecting these recipes for years - they never flop and always look fabulous, especially with her styling. We've got a feeling that this darling little book will revive a love of baking in all our kitchens"

Bake launch at Kalk Bay Books

2009-10-28T01:43:00.000-07:00

Invitation to the launch of 'Bake' at Kalk Bay Books on the 6th of November

Hot Afro: Interiors from South Africa

2009-10-13T00:09:00.000-07:00

Hot Afro reveals the habits of some of South Africa’s most creative individuals through beautifully detailed, full-colour photographs taken by Craig Fraser. These are interiors that are globally savvy but distinctly South African – spaces that epitomise that passionate Southern energy, vibrancy and soul. Spaces that inspire with colour, depth and the unique signatures of the people who have shaped them.

The homes featured belong to a diverse group of local innovators includingstylists, interior-, jewelleryand fashion designers, conceptual thinkers and artists: amongst them trend forecaster Neville Trickett; stylist and product designer Laureen Rossouw; Elle Decoration SA editor Karen
Roos; renowned ceramic artist Barbara Jackson, and many more.
Hot Afro is a must for those who are passionate about design and beautiful interiors and overflows with visual inspiration.

South Africa Eats

2009-10-12T07:23:00.000-07:00

Situated at the bottom of a continent teeming with
culinary diversity, South Africa is home to a host of
different cultures. Now leading South African foodie
and bestselling author Phillippa Cheifitz provides a
delicious sampler of the rich variety of South African
culinary tradition in South Africa Eats. Phillippa has
asked 13 of SA’s leading foodies, from Dorah Sitole to
Mariana Esterhuizen, about their family history, roots
and influences – and, most importantly, for a few of their
favourite recipes. Inspired by these food traditions and
contemporary South African culinary trends —‘We
like it easy to make and delicious to
eat,’ says Phillippa — she has also included some of
her favourite ‘modern South African’ recipes (South
Africa Eats includes approximately 80 recipes in total).

Bake

2009-10-12T07:03:00.000-07:00

At Tina Bester's delightfully whimsical store Queen of Tarts, she has created a vintage-inspired, playful escape from reality where you can order a decadent slice of gooey chocolate cake for breakfast and nobody bats an eyelid. Bake is about Tina’s travels from a ‘no bake’ cook to a passionate purveyor of home baked treats, made the old-fashioned way but with a Queen of Tarts contemporary twist.

The book is divided into six sweet and savoury sections and includes recipes for biscuits to fill up
the cookie jar, the perfect flaky pastry roast chicken pie, an extensive selection of sweet tarts, cakes and meringue creations (including some of Queen of Tarts most famous bakes) and breads and buns. Each is crammed with mouthwatering imagery thanks to Tina’s creative eye and an integral belief that making pretty is part of the fun.

The recipes and instructions in Bake are uncomplicated and oh-so-easy to achieve, and Tina offers plenty of no-nonsense advice on how to ensure your bakedcreations are a success. Inspiring imagery and ideas to create your own foodie fantasies are very much part of the package and are bound to stir up a desire to get outthe mixing bowls and to get baking. Bake
takes the fear factor out of this timeless tradition and celebrates the joy that a pretty iced cupcake or still-warm savoury tart can bring.

Fire Water

2009-10-08T03:19:00.000-07:00

'Fiery and inaccessible in its youth, the best brandy evolves in a way which reveals its pedigree. The maturation process strips away the layers which conceal its true expression of place, so that, after several transformations – from grapes to wine, wine to spirit, alcohol to brandy – the butterfly emerges from its cocoon of oak.'

'– Michael Fridjhon, connoisseur and wine expert, in his introduction to Fire Water: South African Brandy.

South African brandies are world-class products with unique tastes, characters and styles, and Fire Water: South African Brandy provides a fascinating new account of how brandy is created and enjoyed in this country. It relates the history of South African brandy, explains how this premium product is made and shows how best its true spirit can be savoured. Fire Water also explores South Africa’s brandy country, looking at the regions, terroirs, cellars and grape varieties used in brandy production.

Reuben Cooks

2009-10-07T00:49:00.000-07:00

"A new look at traditional flavours from South Africa's most innovative young chef"
Flavours, tastes, smells and textures have the power to transport you back to your childhood, to make you feel the way you did when you first tasted a peach an orange or a carmelised onion and blue cheese tart
"I am an instinctive chef rather than one who follows rules. This comes from growing up around naturally gifted cooks. You have to have an open mind in order to experiment and create. When it comes to combining tastes and flavours, smells and shapes and colours and textures, you never know what new experience might be just around the corner. If that taste has the power to touch people's emotions and awake their memories, you've hit the jackpot." Reuben Riffel

Prickly Pears and Pomegranates

2009-10-06T23:43:00.000-07:00

Ever since legendary South African author Eve Palmer brought the farm Cranemere to life in her book the Plains of Camdeboo, the magic of the Great Karoo has captured the hearts of thousands. Her legacy lives on in Prickly Pears and Pomegranates by Bernadette La Roux and Marianne Palmer.
Moving prose by Bernadette Le Roux (Eve Palmer’s great niece and part-owner of Café Roux in Cape Town) captures the hardships and rewards of life – and food – in the semi-desert of the Great Karoo. Together with her mother, Marianne Palmer – Bernadette has woven farm recipes made from local, seasonal and organic ingredients into the book. Food is accessible and comforting and stirs up all the nostalgia relating to the Karoo.

Africanismo

2009-10-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

AFRICANISMO, Interior inspiration from Southern Africa. When it comes to design, Africa is sustainable. It will always bring passion and warmth to a place. It will always bring the joy of the handcrafted, the colourful, the natural.
It will always inspire.
Africanismo celebrates the creativity and ingenious resourcefulness borne out of a continent that is both beautiful and harsh. It embraces the spirit and soulfulness of all who live in southern Africa and the inspiration they provide one another daily.
And it rejoices in the extraordinary places that people call home.

South

2009-10-06T05:42:00.000-07:00

Like most things African, the story has roots and tradition, whimsical fantasy and, always, the unexpected allegory. It is a visual indaba or dialogue of styles.'

South Africa is becoming a new decor and design destination. In this remarkable book by Karen Roos and Annemarie Meintjies, interiors are given fresh perspectives: broad architectural brush strokes, the space, and light between structures, and fine, revealing details.

There's a new conversation between colour and form. Simplicity and exuberant textures offer intriguing contrasts.

'the exuberance of the South African colours and of nature is at the heart of this reinvention of space. In Africa, as Karen and Annemarie passionately believe, multiple inspirations keep mixing and cohabiting.' Elle Decor Italia

'they have distilled not so much a style, as an essence of the South African spirit, a magnificent new book' Michelle Magwood, Sunday Times

The New Safari

2009-10-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

Emerging in the last decade and a half, the New Safari style is significant in that it’s a product of two extremes, of a creative, cultural synergy which in many ways is what contemporary South African society is all about. The safari design aesthetic has uniquely yoked hi-tech, high-end architecture with traditional low-tech African craft and fused them with an extremely original, courageous, soulful and sensitive – even sexy – interior design execution.

'The New Safari will have you rushing to redecorate in the new year'
Farmers Weekly

'At last a book that indulges in the 'New Safari' style, Whether you are building a new home or need inspiration for an established interior, there is much to draw from here' Visi

'The New Safari is so hot, it's even come to town.' Condé Nast House & Garden

Lazy Days

2009-10-06T01:00:00.000-07:00

'Unimaginably simple, delicious food, modern as you make it, but with a hint of traditional West Coast Style. Utterly delicious from beginning to end, and that includes the design, layout and sense of place (you can smell the sea!) - brings local cookbooks to a new level altogether'

- Jenny Cryws-Williams

'Phillippa's Lazy Days', Contemporary Country - Style Cooking, is a joy. Lovely simple food, exquisite photography by Craig Fraser mirroring the tranquil mood of the West Coast at its most evocative.'
- Annette Kesler

'Yet another gem from Phillippa Cheifitz, best-selling author of Cape Town Food, a cookbook to treasure' Justine Drake, Shape magazine

'Her best cookbook by far.' François Ferreira, George Herald

'the recipes and photographs are beautiful and mouthwatering.'
Sumien Brink, Visi

Home: Cape Town

2009-10-06T00:54:00.000-07:00

'I am fascinated by the tension between various aesthetics and colours. I love the washed neutrals of scandinavian furniture and ceramics, for example, together with the passion and robust colour of Africa.

There is a relationship there, a bit like the balance of energy between the head and the heart'
- Boyd Ferguson

HOME, Cape Town, combines images of interiors of peoples home with 'street' scenes giving one a great idea of the lifestyle people lead in Cape Town today.
'giving readers a vibrant sense of Cape Town Living. The Look Book'
House and Leisure
'already a classic' Elle Decor
'the personal and the quirky, real habitats that are a synthesis of fashion and heritage, traditional and oddball - a splendid book' Michelle Magwood, The Argus

Mud Chic

2009-10-06T00:39:00.000-07:00

Mix earth, water and grass, press into the wooden skeleton and leave in the sun to dry. Add the spirits of the ancestors and a thousand years of ubuntu and you have the traditional rondavel of the rural Transkei.'

'These homes are the focus of Mud Chic which elevates the simple AmaXhosa mud hut to a cultural and design icon that is a quintessential part of rural life.'

Craig Fraser's photographs are extraordinary, lit so beautifully they could be Old Masters.' Suzy Brokenshaw, Fair Lady

'Craig Fraser manages to evoke with poignancy this delicate yet powerful relationship between a nation and it's environment.' Sumien Brink, Visi

'Images that are fascinating and richly poetic; giving us unexpected ideas that are amazingly contemporary.' Elle Decor, Italia

Shack Chic

2009-10-06T00:30:00.000-07:00

The triumph of artistic tenacity over adversity is brought to life in Craig Fraser's vibrant images which capture the style and innovation of Cape Town's shack dwellers.'

'Having photographed some of the most luxurious homes in the world, the renowned photographer has found true inspiration in some of the poorest'

Using only available light, Fraser left the interiors unstyled to capture their 'true beauty'. This book celebrates a decorating spirit that renews and colours South Africa's urban landscape and claims worldwide appeal

'totally mesmerising' The London Magazine

'a startling, immensly beautiful book a creation of a group of stellar South African talents' Sunday Times

'Shack chic has gone where nobody has been before. It is an outstanding reference book of innovative design, it is a triumphant exposé and should be compulsive reading' Walls and Roots in Africa

Press Release

2009-10-05T05:53:00.000-07:00

QUIVERTREE AWARDS PRESS RELEASE

Quivertree Publications has just reconfirmed its status as one of South Africa’s, and the world’s foremost boutique publishing houses with the announcement that two of its books have won the ‘Best in the World’ award in their selected categories at the prestigious Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

In the category of ‘Best Local Cuisine Book’, Prickly Pears & Pomegranates has come first out of thirty participating Countries. ‘Fire Water’, which was awarded the ‘Best Wine & Spirits Book’ in the world, was competing against thirteen international titles for this prestigious honour. This also gives Quivertree the unprecedented record of being the first South African publisher to have won these highly sought after awards

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Prickly Pears and Pomegranates
Prickly Pears & Pomegranates by Marianne Palmer and her daughter Bernadette le Roux is an evocative tribute to legendary South African author Eve Palmer, who brought the farm Cranemere to life in her classic memoir, The Plains of Camdeboo. In this beautifully photographed and inspiring cookbook, the Palmer family celebrates generations of life on this farm with recipes handed down through the years. Moving prose by Bernadette captures the hardships and rewards of life – and of course food – in the semi desert of the Great Karoo. Together with her mother, Marianne, Bernadette has woven farm recipes made from local, seasonal and organic ingredients into the book. Food is accessible and comforting and stirs up nostalgia for the Karoo. Craig Fraser’s spectacular photographs are a visual feast that make this a cookbook to savour and return to time and again.

‘It is an absolute joy for cooks, Karoo aficionados and country lovers alike, offering countless recipes for bringing the Karoo into your home.’
– Chris Harvie, columnist and hotelier.

‘Prickly Pears & Pomegranates is … destined to become classic culinary Africana.’
– Myrna Robins, local food guru.

‘Satisfying in every way.’
– Louise McCann, Elle Decoration SA.

‘This home-grown gem celebrates Karoo-style seasonal cooking. Expect everyone to ask for seconds.’
– Marie Claire SA.

‘This is just an amazing book and I can’t put it down. I love it…’
– Jenny Morris, Next 48 Hours.

* Prickly Pears & Pomegranates has won the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards Best Local Cuisine Book in the world

Fire Water
Fire Water: South African Brandy provides a fascinating new account of how brandy is created and enjoyed in South Africa. South African brandies are world-class products with unique tastes, characters and styles. This matchless book relates the history of South African brandy, explains how this premium product is made and shows how best its true spirit can be savoured. Fire Water also explores South Africa’s brandy country, looking at the regions, terroirs, cellars and grape varieties used in brandy production.

‘Fiery and inaccessible in its youth, the best brandy evolves in a way that reveals its pedigree. The maturation process strips away the layers which conceal its true expression of place, so that, after several transformations – from grapes to wine, wine to spirit, alcohol to brandy – the butterfly emerges from its cocoon of oak.’
– Michael Fridjhon, connoisseur and wine expert, in his introduction to Fire Water: South African Brandy.

‘A true South African original, an excellent book’
- Neil Pendock

‘One of our favourite books this year’
- Edouard Cointreau

‘Fire Water is a gem of book’
- Jenny Crys-Williams

* Fire Water: South African Brandy has won the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in the category Best Wine & Spirits Book in the world

Quivertree Publications

2009-10-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

Quivertree’s mission – to approach subjects with integrity and a positive outlook – is tangible in both the range and content of its books, which include many international and local award winners. All, without exception, celebrate the South African context that provides so much inspiration to its founders, photographer Craig Fraser and graphic designer Libby Doyle.

Since its inception in 2001, Quivertree has specialised in exquisite publications that centre on individuality in a South African milieu, particularly in the fields of food and decor. As well as publishing books, Quivertree produces irresistible postcards showcasing the best of Craig Fraser’s striking images and, owing to the ever-increasing demand for his work, has recently launched an image bank.

Previous successes include: Shack Chic, a groundbreaking exploration of the design, style and culture to be found in South African shack-lands. This title was selected to be a major exhibition at the UN Habitats summit in Kenya, has sold co-edition rights to Thames and Hudson, and has been translated into Dutch by Novib; Feast by Franck Dangereux, winner of Best Chef Cookbook at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2004; and Lazy Days: Contemporary Country-Style Cooking by Phillippa Cheifitz, winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook’s Best Local Cookbook category in 2006. In a remarkable feat, Quivertree has won an award for every single cookbook it has published! Quivertree’s glorious decor titles include Mud Chic; Home: Cape Town; South: South African Style in Decor; The New Safari: Design, Decor, Detail; Africanismo, and the soon to be published Hot Afro, showcasing the best local design and décor has to offer.