Jan Braai Discusses National Braai Day at the Launch of Fireworks

by Thando on Aug 17th, 2012

In a week of wild weather, a hardy crowd of braai lovers set out in the pouring rain to join Jan Braai, South Africa’s ambassador for National Braai Day, for the launch of his book, Fireworks.

Jan Braai was joined at the podium by well known MC and broadcaster, Dan Nicholl, who is a fellow motivator in the goal to see some 50 million people all braaing around the world on 24 September – National Braai Day.

According to Nicholl, the book contains great stories and excellent ideas for braaing things that one wouldn’t immediately consider as obvious for the fire. During his tour of South Africa’s heritage sites, Jan Braai observed that most South Africans overcook their meat.

Jan Braai said he knew that some 33% of the South African population actively braais on this date, but regards this as being just “the start of National Braai Day”. Jan Braai expressed his wish that “our children will look back at this when they are active braaiers and see it as a significant moment.”

He said there were great aims for this national day. A founding principal is that all South Africans love to braai and the hope is to establish a day that all South Africans can identify with, will feel proud of, and that will be our equivalent of Australia Day or St Patrick’s Day.

The book, which is published in Afrikaans by Human & Rousseau as Vuurwerke, contains a number of terrific recipes. It also gives tips to braai enthusiasts on what wood to use, how to prepare your braai, and how to use a meat thermometer! In his unbeatable style, Jan Braai said, “You can’t do anything wrong when you’re braaiing, except to overcook the meat. After all, an animal died to feed you. The least you can do is show it some respect!”

After the discussion, which had the entire audience in fits of laughter, guests were treated to delicious samples directly from the recipe book.

* * * * * * * *

Liesl Jobson tweeted from the launch using #livebooks:

Great crowd on top of the Naspers building for the launch of@janbraai‘s Fireworks. #livebooks @panmacmillansa

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012

National Braai Day is coming up, 24 Sept! braai.com This book tells how to braai! Human & Rousseau & @panmacmillansa #livebooks

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012

@janbraai started national braai day 7 yrs ago, wanted to share his facet knowledge wi rest of the country. #livebooks

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012

@janbraai: most think you can’t braai chicken. This book is instruction manual on how to raise your game in manly endeavour! #livebooks

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012

@janbraai: No wrong way of braaing, except overdoing the meat! Too many kill the flavour! Animal died for your braai. Respect it #livebooks

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012

@janbraai This book should be default Christmas present in SA, 2012… #livebooks

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012

@janbraai‘s best braai was on Robben Island, braaing T-bones, meat in shape of Africa, but it was a mission to get permission. #livebooks

— Liesl Jobson (@LieslJobson) August 15, 2012