CORONAVIRUS. TV chef Jenny Morris loses husband David (69) to Covid-19.

by Thinus Ferreira

The celebrity chef Jenny Morris recuperating from Covid-19 has lost her husband David who died on Tuesday evening from the coronavirus. He was 69.

The two were virtually inseparable as they built Jenny Morris's celebrity cooking business over decades. 

As two peas in a pod they published half a dozen of her sought-after recipe books, opened two restaurants, and started a cooking school and catering company in 1997, currently situated in her CooksPlayground in Green Point's Cape Quarter in Cape Town, where they've taught thousands of people to be better in the kitchen.

Over decades Jenny became a celebrity chef with programmes and appearances on radio and TV and writing newspaper and magazine columns and in 2011 she became the first South African with a cooking show on Discovery Inc.'s Food Network (DStv 175) broadcast globally as she continued doing presentations as a regular food festival fixture.

In June the beloved TV chef and her longtime husband both fell ill from Covid-19 as South Africa is in the grip of a vicious third wave of the global coronavirus pandemic fuelled by the more contagious Delta variant as the rate of crucial vaccinations by the South African government lags and is far behind schedule.

Last week Jenny Morris who also appears frequently on Expresso on SABC3 and who is known as "The Giggling Gourmet", said that she and her husband are both in the Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital since they had tested positive for Covid-19.

"We have been hospitalised. I'm in Covid ward at Christiaan Barnard hospital with the best doctors. My husband in ICU. He needs oxygen. Thank you for your prayers for our recovery," Jenny wrote on Instagram on 30 June.

A few days later she said that "David is still under the caring hands of the doctors. Heart is a little better... kidney a little better and infection markers are a little better. My heart is singing. I shall pray all night long no matter how small the better is, I'm praying for every single little bit of better".

Now David has died. "It is with great sadness that the Morris family announces the passing of David Phillip Henry Morris at the age of 69," the family said in a released statement.

"David passed away on Tuesday evening due to Covid-19 complications. He was a husband, brother, uncle, father, mentor and role model. He will be sorely missed by his family and close friends. David's family requests privacy during the time of mourning."

Earlier this month Jenny Morris warned the public about the dangers of Covid-19 and the vicious Delta-variant, saying "The third wave is upon us! Remember, your actions have a direct impact on those around you. Mask up, disinfect, and maintain social distance protocols. Covid does not discriminate!"

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. Covid is real. So warns the growing number of hospitalised South African celebrities like TV chef Jenny Morris, Lieb Bester and Emma Sadleir.

CORONAVIRUS. Covid is real. So warns the growing number of hospitalised South African celebrities like TV chef Jenny Morris, Lieb Bester and Emma Sadleir.

by Thinus Ferreira

Covid is real. So warns the growing number of South African celebrities like Leandie du Randt has tested positive for and is battling Covid along with the TV chef Jenny Morris and her husband who are both in hospital, along with social media expert Emma Sadleir, and with the actor Lieb Bester who is back in hospital due to Covid-19 complications.

The actor Lieb Bester (72), known for his roles in the TV soaps Villa Rosa and Binnelanders and who is one of the presenters of Met 'n Huppel in die Stap on kykNET (DStv 144), is back in hospital after he was hospitalised on 24 June for Covid-19.

The Pretoria Rekord reports that family of Lieb Bester said that his kidneys are only functioning 26% because of the Covid-19 coronavirus. 

Lieb Bester's wife, Annatjie, as well as his brother André, both tested positive for Covid-19 as the more contagious Delta-variant is fuelling the number of new cases and deaths as part of a third wave of the global coronavirus in South Africa.

The well-known Cape Town TV chef Jenny Morris of The Food Network (DStv 175) and Expresso on SABC3, known as "The Giggling Gourmet", as well as her husband David, are both in the Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital since they tested positive for Covid-19.

"We have been hospitalised. I'm in Covid ward at Christiaan Barnard hospital with the best doctors. My husband in ICU. He needs oxygen. Thank you for your prayers for our recovery," Jenny wrote on Instagram on 30 June.

The South African social media law expert Emma Sadleir on Twitter shared that she has been hospitalised because of Covid-19.

"I'm in hospital with Covid pneumonia. Feeling indescribably lucky to have got a bed. Thinking of all the people who are feeling so sick and don't have access to the same resources. Also - both my parents have recovered despite mega-comorbidities. Viva vaccines, viva!"

Leandie du Randt, currently the presenter of the 6th season of Slank on kykNET and who also fronted M-Net's (DStv 101) Love Island South Africa earlier this year, is also battling Covid-19 and warns: "Covid is real".

In an Instagram posting, she says "I am now also Covid positive but I am really fine guys, just want to say please be safe and careful in these times. Covid is real. My heart goes out to so many loved ones who have been badly hit by this terrible virus. Grateful for my amazing doctor helping me through this".

Food Network's celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad teaming up to present new show, Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy.

The Food Network (DStv 175) celebrity chefs Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad have teamed up and are filming a brand new edutainment cooking teaching show Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy in South Africa which will be broadcast on the channel from later this year.

It's the first TV production in which Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad, both beloved and recognised faces on the Food Network in their own shows, are starring and working together as co-presenters of the new show teaching would-be chefs how to create a delicious feast while passing on cooking tips.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy, a first season which will consist out of 25 half hour episodes, was commissioned by Scripps Networks UK & Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) with filming which recently started at Okuhle Media's studios in Cape Town.

Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy was commissioned by Gareth Williams, the vice president for commissioning at Scripps Networks UK & EMEA, with Louise McClelland of Okuhle Media as executive producer.

In Jenny & Reza's Fabulous Food Academy Jenny Morris and Reza Mahammad help amateur chefs across South Africa in their custom-designed studio with tips and techniques on how to cook like a professional.

From basics to Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes, the chefs bring their unique and now combined sense of humour to this new show as they put the participants through their paces.

"We are proud to be launching a new format with Jenny and Reza who have been a huge hit with our audiences across the region," says Phillip Luff, the managing director for Scripps Networks UK & EMEA.

"Our continued investment in our talent and original commissions has allowed for us to expand our portfolio as one of the world's leading producers of engaging lifestyle content."

Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera as South Africa's Giggling Gourmet goes on a culinary tour of the French and Italian Riviera.

South Africa's Giggling Gourmet, the Cape Town based celebrity chef Jenny Morris is cooking her way along the spectacular French and Italian Riviera in a second season of her TV show Jenny Morris Cooks starting today (Monday) on Food Network (DStv 175) at 12:15 and 16:25 on weekdays.

Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera follows on the successful Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco.

first season of her show on the Food Network - the first South African commissioned TV production for the channel - debuted to boffo ratings when Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco started.

In Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera, Food Network viewers will see the beloved and effervescent South African chef share more of her own food preparation secrets for delicious meals during her Mediterranean adventure.

In easy to follow instructions for viewers when making mouthwatering meals, Jenny Morris journeys from the olive groves of Liguria to the crystalline waters of Monaco and St Tropez.

As she did with Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco, Jenny Morris will use and infuse signature ingredients in the dishes prepared in Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera.

BREAKING. Food Network producing a local South African version of Chopped; 10 episodes of Chopped South Africa coming in 2014.

You're reading it here first. 

Food Network (DStv 175) is producing a local version of its international reality food hit Chopped for South Africa, with Chopped South Africa which will start on the Food Network during the second quarter of 2014 in South Africa.

In the 10 hour long episodes of Chopped South Africa with presenter Denvor Phokaners and judges and fellow Food Network personality Jenny Morris and Siba Mtongana, as well as David van Staden, Lindsay Venn, Rebecca Hurst and Reuben Riffel, four chefs will be tasked to try and try make a three-course meal out of everyday ingredients.

After every course a contestant gets "chopped", until the last person wins R40 000.

The first season of Chopped South Africa follows the growing slate of local South African productions on the Food Network such as Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco, Siba's Table and Reza's African Kitchen.

Chopped South Africa is produced by Food Network in response to the growing and passionate foodie scene which has seen other broadcasters finding continued success with shows such as MasterChef South Africa on M-Net, and Come Dine with Me South Africa on BBC Entertainment.

According to sources, M-Net is for instance working on not just a third season of MasterChef South Africa for 2014, but also a MasterChef South Africa Celebrity version, doubling up on the MasterChef SA content due to the success of the show for the South African pay-TV broadcaster.

Chopped South Africa is produced by Snelco Prod. with Sue Nell as executive producer, in association with Ukhamba Communications. Eugene Naidoo is the director of Chopped South Africa.

"Chopped is the most highly rated and popular series on Food Network in South Africa and this new local commission will give more than 40 home grown chefs the chance to compete for victory in South Africa's very own Chopped kitchen," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing at Scripps for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

BREAKING. Food Network gives second season to Jenny Morris; heading to France and Italy for Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera.

You're reading it here first. 

The Food Network (DStv 175) has given a second season pick-up to the Cape Town celebrity chef Jenny Morris who will do a second series entitled Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera for the channel filmed along the French and Italian Rivieras.

Jenny Morris' first season of her show on the Food Network - the first South African commissioned TV production for the channel - debuted to boffo ratings when Jenny Morris Cooks Morocco started.

"Jenny's second series showcases one of South Africa's most loved chefs and her cuisine," says Sue Walton, the vice president for commissioning and original content for Scripps UK and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

"Throughout the series, Jenny's journey through the Riviera's picturesque landscapes will be stacked with inspiration as she serves up menus inspired by the natural beauty and glamour of her surroundings."

In the second series Jenny Morris will journey along the French and Italian Rivieras, starting in the west of France and travelling east along the coast. Jenny Morris Cooks the Riviera will show viewers Saint-Tropez, Monte Carlo, Portofino and Cinque Terre, as well as discovering some of the less well-known tucked-away places while preparing French and Italian cuisine.

"Once again Food Network is feeding my foodie soul," says Jenny Morris. "I'm delighted with the new commission and look forward to an incredible journey and fun experiences I can share with viewers throughout the world," says Jenny Morris..

""From Jenny's Cape Town cookery school she has already had many Mediterranean influences," says Nick Thorogood, the senior vice president for content and marketing for Scripps UK & EMEA. "I'm pleased she will have the chance to travel to the Riviera and explore the cuisine in more detail."