African Creations

In December, Oprah's personal chef, Art Smith, traveled to South Africa to cook Christmas dinner for all of the Leadership Academy girls. The big hit of the night was his Malva Pudding—a cake-like treat served with custard. "According to our hospitality ambassador of South Africa, Mr. Colin Cowie … Malva was a woman's name and it was named after [her]," Art says.

Treat your loved ones to a helping of Malva Pudding!

Art says this dessert is great to serve when you have company. "What I like about this is I think anything served from a wonderful casserole or anything says to people, 'There's plenty. It's enough. And it's home,'" he says.

He is the mastermind behind Oprah's 50th birthday parties and Oprah's Legends Ball. Most recently, party planner extraordinaire Colin Cowie planned a four-day New Year's celebration for the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls—South Africa.

Oprah and Colin, who is originally from South Africa, kicked off their New Year's Eve party in Africa as any good hosts would—with a cocktail! Colin prepared a special Passion Fruit Chili Martini, which became the signature drink of the weekend.

Spice up your next gathering with a Passion Fruit Chili Martini!

"It's a cocktail to jump-start the party," Colin says.