November is Movember month and thus, many gents are growing their mo’s and beards all for a good cause. Did you know, according to beardsmen.co.uk, the average time to grow a beard is 67 days *.
For many avid beard-growers, breakfast, lunch and dinner can be a challenge when it comes to eating with this new facial addition. As someone who has had experience with growing and eating with his very own facial tresses, Ryan Berichon, the executive chef at catering company, Blue Strawberry Caterers and ready-made meal delivery company, My Chef, provides some tips on keeping the mane clean – even during meal times.

Keep off the grass
Avoid touching your beard and sanitise your hands after every toilet visit. Beards can be known to collect bacteria. It is also important to shampoo and condition your beard as you would the hair on your head to keep it clean.
Trimming the hedge
It is important to trim your beard often. Not only will it grow evenly and look neat, it will also show that you care about how you look.
Fork it!
Use utensils when eating to ensure that the food and your mouth meet, so as not to interfere with your beard.
Figure Eight wipe
Keep a napkin or wet wipes handy and wipe your mouth in a figure eight shape which is sure to collect any stragglers that may be unsightly.
Saucy-no-no!
Avoid foods with too much sauce, cheese or spaghetti– which can get caught in the beard and cause embarrassment when out in public.
Pits to pizza’s and bunnies
As much as you love a good slice of pizza or a fabulous Durban bunny chow– if you are eating these with your hands, stay away – unless you at in the comfort of your own home. These foods are extremely messy and a no-go for “bearders”. Rather opt for sushi or French fries which cause little mess.
Turn on the charm:
If you are the type of guy that enjoys pulling out all the stops when it comes to being romantic and have a date night coming up this month, why not order food straight to your door, which takes minutes to prepare and cook, yet still tastes delicious – with no fuss.
My Chef provides ready-made meals that are delivered right to your door, every Tuesday and Friday. Choose from their selection of dishes, click to order, make you payment and then wait for the delivery – it’s such a simple process and there is no need to slave over the stove with a recipe you have never tried in order to impress; just order in.
There are also meals suited to beard-growers such as Lamb Tagine – Slow cooked sweet and spicy lamb casserole bursting with Moroccan flavours; Beef Butternut Bobotie – a slightly sweet curry flavour ground beef baked in a milk and egg custard, and there’s even the option of a Ready Roast Chicken Dinner – De-boned chicken, stuffed with sage and onion, sliced & served with real gravy, herb buttered baby potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

If you are a burger lover and don’t mind getting a bit of sauce or cheese in your mane, this month My Chef will be running a Movember special on their manly burgers.
Sweet Baby Cheeses!
A double beef patty filled with creamy gouda, mozzarella slice, sweet caramelized onion and cheese sauce.
The Camembert Streaker
150g pure beef patty, crisp streaky bacon, camembert, cranberry sauce.
Got Beef with Frenchy
Home ground beef patty, red wine and mushroom sauce, crumbled blue cheese and cracked black pepper.
Drunken Mexican Chicken
Fajita spiced chicken fillet spiked with tequila, sliced jalapenos, avocado and Mexican salsa.
Not satisfied yet? Well there is a wide selection of meals on offer, sure to keep your beard in place, and your dinner partner impressed.
Website: www.mychef.co.za
Facebook: @mychef.co.za
Tips supplied by My Chef and *http://get-a-wingman.com