May is upon us, yielding the onset of South Africa’s winter period. However, love or hate winter, South Africa’s foodie calendar is full of food festivals and activities to keep you not only busy, but happy. Here are 7 of our best, listed in chronological order.
Riebeek Valley Olive Festival – 3-5 May – R100 per adult
A small festival offering you a lazy weekend soaking up the beautiful Riebeek Valley scenery, sampling various olive incarnations, sipping the local wines and generally divulging in a bit of culinary decadence. Just an hour or so from Cape Town, this could be the perfect day trip.
Winter Sculpture Fair – 4 & 5 May – R100 per person
The sculpture fair offers Gautengers the chance to picnic in the Nirox Sculpture Garden, eating cuisine prepared by some of South Africa’s best chefs (transported for the occasion from the Franschhoek Valley) in between shopping at the market for artisanal products and fine craft work.
Fine Brandy Fusion Festival – 9-10 May – R175 per person
This glam event at the Cape Town International Convention Centre showcases a range of fine brandies as well as the lifestyle surrounding such brands. Expect tasters, opportunities to learn and the chance to rub shoulders with some pretty high profile people.
Mothers’ Day Treat Workshop – 10 May – R450 per person
The South Africa Chefs Association is offering Joburg moms and children (over 12) a bonding experience with this baking workshop. Learn how to bake wild mushroom tart, cake pops and make pink lemonade among other things.
Stir Crazy short cooking courses – 9, 16 & 28 May – R400
Throughout the month of May Stir Crazy Cookery School is hosting short cooking classes for individuals or groups. We love the sound of the Moroccan Magic (9th), the Vietnamese and Cambodian (16th) and the Decadent Dessert (28th) classes. Better yet, they’re all evening classes so even the workaholics among us can get stuck in.
Good Food and Wine Show – 23-26 May – R110
The Cape Town leg of the Good Food and Wine Show will give Capetonians the chance to watch demonstrations by Gordon Ramsay, Eric Lanlard and Bill Granger, learn a thing or two about creating a great cup of coffee and learn how to cook using natural, sustainable ingredients. And that’s just the start.
Gugulethu Wine Festival – 24-25 May – R90
While the roof top of the Gugulethu Mall in Cape Town may not be a traditional venue for a wine show, the standard of the festival is enhanced rather than harmed by the venue. Expect samples of some of the Cape’s best wines, food stalls from local Gugulethu eateries such as the famed tourist attraction, Mzoli’s as well as a fun, diverse atmosphere.
Now budding foodies, best get booking and buying as tickets to awesome events don’t just sit around waiting for you.
