Visitors to the 17th South African Cheese Festival will not only taste cheese and see master chefs in action but can also create cheese masterpieces themselves. A ticket to this award-winning festival, over the Freedom Day long weekend from 27-29 April at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch, promises a taste experience of local and international cheeses, artisan and gourmet products as well as selected wines.
Interactive food theatres – Celebrity chefs galore will cook up a storm in the three food theatres at the SA Cheese Festival.
Jenny Morris (The Giggling Gourmet), Kamini Pather (MasterChef SA winner), The Food Alchemist Pete Goffe-Wood (Master Chef and Ultimate Braai Master Judge), Carmen Niehaus and Leon the Milkman will entertain guests in the Agri-Expo Cooking Pot. Herman Lensing (Friday), Zola Nene (Saturday) and Johnny Hamman (Sunday) will oversee food demonstrations in the Cape Made Kitchen, in partnership with the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture. In the Standard Bank Tasting Room specialist presenters will treat visitors to cheese pairings with unique combinations including South Africa’s Top Ten Chenin Blanc wines, craft beer and a variety of teas.
#YourWheyWithCheese Cook-off – Would you like to show off your cooking flair? Amateur chefs are invited to enter their water-wise recipes with President cheese for the #YourWheyWithCheese Cook-off in partnership with Heart FM.
Jenny Morris and co-judges Kamini Pather and Sihle Ngobese will choose the Top 15 on Saturday, 7 April. Four finalists will cook off at the SA Cheese Festival, two on Friday 27 April, two on Saturday 28 April, with the final Cook-off on Sunday 29 April.
Cheese carving and live music – There will be great prizes and of course some delicious cheese to be won in the Ladismith Cheese-carving competition, that takes place daily at Blossom’s Gazebo. At the Stellenbosch Vineyards Music Gazebo, Cheese Festival goers will be treated to the sounds of popular artists Nic Stevens (Friday), Die Wildberries and Kurt Darren (Saturday), as well as old favourites by Absolutely Fabulous, Sincere Swing, Under Cover and Bev Scott Brown and SHIM SHAM.
Connoisseur’s Experience Cheese aficionados, who crave a more intimate tryst with cheese and foodies, will do well to book for the exclusive Connoisseurs’ Experience.
For more information visit www.cheesefestival.co.za
