Festivals of Food (and wine....)

Yay for September and Spring!
Aside from being my birthday month, I love September because it really does close the curtain on Winter. I'm sooo ready for Spring this year it's not even funny. Spring in Joburg is a particularly special event...all the blossom-flecked bushes, the green buds on all the trees, thunder showers, smells of freshly mown grass...
Yes, I know I sound like a hippy, but it's true. Spring is awesome. Good-bye jerseys and boots, hello dresses, skirts and sandals :)

There is also so much to do now and everyone is finally happy to venture out of their warm cosy homes and seek sun, good food and WINE!

Here are a few festivals coming up that will make a great day (or night) out with friends and family:

1. Taste of Joburg, Montecasino - www.tasteofjoburg.com
Starting on Thursday 15 September until Sunday 18 September, the Taste of Joburg offers an incredible line up of "star" chefs from the best restaurants in Joburg. You will be able to try signature dishes, meet award-winning chefs and sample amazing food and wine.
You'll discover a mouth-watering array of gourmet food suppliers and be able to browse the stalls and try the delicious speciality food and ingredients to either eat there or take home.
Some of the award-winning featured restaurants include Piccolo Mondo (Michaelangelo Hotel), DW-Eleven, La Belle Terrasse (The Westcliff), Roots (Forum Homini) and The Saxon Hotel.

On the drinks side, if Whiskey is your thing, be sure to head to the House of Johnny Walker. Featured wine estates include Boschendal, Beyerskloof, Diemersdal, Graham Beck and Pongraz, to name a few.

Normal tickets are R70 per adult, but there are more exclusive tickets available.
Long and the short of it? I won't be missing this one for anything in the world!!

2. Robertson Wine Valley Festival, Kloofzicht Lodge - http://www.robertsonwinevalley.com/gauteng/kloofzicht_festival.html

Starting on Saturday 17 September to Sunday 18 September and hosted at the stunning Kloofzicht Lodge in Muldersdrift, festivals like this make me REALLY miss wine...only another 3 1/2 months to go!!
Tickets are R130 per day or R210 for the whole weekend, kids under 18 are free. Gates open at 10:00 and close at 17:00.

This festival will allow you to spend a fabulous day in the country, drinking gorgeous wine and meeting the wine-makers, owners and personalities of the Robertson Wine Valley.
Free wine tasting will obviously take place, guys can take their fishing rods and fish in one of the numerous dams on site and there will be plenty of activities for kids.

So bring your picnic blanket and enjoy a day in the Robertson Wine Valley.

3.Good Food and Wine Show, Coca Cola Dome - www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za
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Starting on Thursday 22 September running until Sunday 25 September at the Coca Cola Dome, tickets start at R80 to get in and if you want to see any of the celebrity chefs in the "Chefs in Action Theatre", go to Computicket to book seats there.

I'm particularly excited about this show...just because of the incredible chefs that will be under the same roof as me! From the one and only Gordon Ramsey, Masterchef winner Adam Liaw, Masterchef favourite Alvin and many many more, this is another show that I will certainly not be missing.

There will be hundreds of stalls to go around and sample/buy ingredients and delicious food, a Lindt Chocolate AppreciationTheatre (girls, if you need more convincing than this, there's a problem), Huletts Baking Theatre (Queen of Tarts, Tina Bester will be hosting), The Amarula Outdoor Experience (think braai's, chilled out entertainment and music).

For Kids, there will be a CBeeBies Little Cooks Zone where "Sid" will be there to host your little ones while they enjoy hands on cooking classes.

Bring on the food and bring on the wine (sadly, only for my husband)!