One of the things I love most about Cape Town is that there’s always so much going on. I moved here after a two-year stint in suburban Seoul where I guess there might have been loads going on, but not in a language that I could understand. Either way, it’s wonderful to have so many options, especially when it comes to cuisine and, naturally, the occasional tipple. This weekend offers a triple whammy of foodie/boozy treats around Cape Town – I’m so grateful that Camping’s prediction that the world would end last Saturday turned out to be a misfire.
Friday, May 27 sees the opening day of the first Gugulethu Wine Festival. Soweto has had its own homage to the grape for five years and now it’s Gugs’ turn. Join a predicted 2000 revellers on the rooftop of the Gugulethu Square Mall (don’t worry about rain – marquees will be installed) for wine (over 200 to try), food (courtesy of Mzoli, co-organiser of the festival) and live music. The tickets are a bargain at R70, which includes a food and wine pairing workshop with Tariro Masayiti, winemaker at Nederberg. If you’re a swallower, not a spitter, leave the car behind and jump in a designated minibus taxi from the V&A Waterfront for R40 per person return. Look out for Gugulethu posters in their windows so you know you’re in the right place!
If your tastes lie more with grain than grape, head further east to Sofia’s restaurant at Morgenster Wine and Olive Estate in Somerset West. Beer and food pairing events are something of rarity in the Cape, so the four-course Salt and Beer pairing from chef Craig Cormack is a truly welcome addition to the Cape Winelands foodie circuit. Craig is passionate about salt, with the beer event being the second in a series of salt pairings. So, with salt and wine covered – look out for whiskey, champagne and MCC dinners later in the year. For now though, each dish comes paired with its own delectable Brewers & Union beer.
Once you’ve indulged in the alcoholic offerings the weekend is going to bring, you might be looking for some solid refreshment to soak things up. Lucky then that the weekend sees the annual Good Food & Wine Show arriving in Cape Town. After learning cooking tips from the masters (including the Willy Wonka of fine dining, Heston Blumenthal), you can indulge in a chocolate master class in the Lindt Chocolate Theatre and wander the stalls sampling delectable cuisine from around the country. And yes, there will be plenty of wine and beer available – just to keep the weekend moving.
Hopefully the wall to wall events will continue next week, although, after a weekend of booze and chocolate I for one might need an event that involves lifting something a little heavier that an overloaded fork. A trio of sporting festivities to counteract the hedonistic weekend perhaps?
Weekend planner
Gugulethu wine festival
May 27 (4pm til 9pm) and 28 (3pm til 9pm). Tickets R70.
Salt and Beer pairing at Sofia’s, Morgenster
May 27. Cost R350 (Four courses and canapes).
Good Food and Wine Show, CTICC, Cape Town
May 26-29. Tickets R85.
Know of other foodie events happening this weekend? Post a comment below and share the love!
