Dads are the silent strength behind our happy families. They are our everyday heros, the first gentlemen we love and our eternal cheerleaders, bursting with pride over our smallest achievements.

They teach us how to go through life with kindness and humour while patiently listening to our concerns and helping us solve our challenges.

This Father’s Day lets show our dads how much they mean to us, and spoil them rotten. Grace Stevens – TV chef, cookbook author and mom of four – is heading for her 19th Father’s Day and is here to share her top tips to making this Father’s Day unforgettable.

Get Dad Excited

Father's Day
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Part of what makes Father’s Day so special is the excitement that builds up in my household. I treasure how my kids and I secretly whisper about our plans to make his favourite gooey chocolate brownies or deliberate over what to get him as we wander through the grocery store. Most of all, I love how excited my husband gets knowing that everyone just wants to spend the day with him.

Planning ahead and dropping hints creates a wonderful suspense and excitement that makes for the best Dad’s day. Have An Adventure; An experience shared is treasured longer than any fancy gift.

All fathers are different so put some thought into what would make your dads day. A family weekend away for the adventurous dad, tickets to the game for the sporty dad, his favourite lunch for the foodie dad or a day spent playing video games for the gamer dad, are all great ideas. Make Him A Special Card A handwritten card is heartfelt, genuine, and truly timeless.

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I remember making my dad a card every year that looked like a shirt and tie, and wrapping up lots of biltong to give him. If your dad has a classic dad joke he is known for, or a picture you know means a lot to him, add that in the card. It’s the personal moments that make the best cards.

Make Food A Family Affair

Father's Day
Grace Stevens Facebook

Trying to keep quiet in the kitchen whilst making my husband his favourite homemade rusks, when we all know that he is pretending to sleep, is a tradition in my home. We love taking lots of family photos of the process and every year over our freshly baked rusks and steaming hot coffee my family looks back to see how we have all grown and how dad has changed. Chocolate and biltong are always right up there with rusks and nothing beats a great chocolate cake to commemorate and celebrate.

Dads themselves are the greatest gift to our lives. Although it would be impossible to express how grateful we are to them in one day, making their favourite foods and giving cards and hugs goes a long way. After all, spending time with our dads this Father’s Day and letting them know how much they are loved is the greatest gift of all.

For these and many more delicious tried and true family recipes and her online tutorials, shop and live classes visit: www.gracestevens.co.za or follow her on twitter @Grace_stevenschef or Facebook @grace_stevenschef