30th September – 3rd October, Montecasino Outdoor Event Area
Now in its fourth year, Taste of Joburg, in association with Orbit Professional, is jam-packed with more flavour experiences than ever before and promises to take visitors’ senses on a trip of discovery like no other.
Sixteen of Joburg’s top restaurants will join together to serve some of their fabulous, trend-setting signature dishes that have made them so popular with foodies, critics and everyone else who appreciates good food.
“This year we’re mixing things up a bit,” explains festival director, Justine Drake. “Food only makes up part of the taste and flavour experience, which is why this year we’re making sure that dishes are complimented by offerings from some of the finest wine, beer, whisky and coffee makers we could find - a complete flavour experience.”
Features such as the Johnnie Walker Whisky Theatre, Lulu Coffee, the Grolsch Beer Academy and the Wine Theatre will showcase drinks that complete a meal, not only quenching those “thirst buds”, but also giving you the opportunity to mix and match flavours yourself.
Back by popular demand, the Pick n’ Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre will again host fun, informative cooking demonstrations, culinary challenges and entertaining tutorials- there will also be loads of prizes and tastings up for grabs.
A new feature aimed at showcasing Joburg’s local food heroes – The Small Producers Market – will offer up delicious artisanal produce. Think hand-made cheeses, pestos, jams and sweets, as well as exotic ingredients and herbs to inspire home-chefs to create their own culinary masterpieces.
If you’re in the mood to head East, why not check out the cooking school run by renowned South African Indian restaurant – Karma – or how about traipsing through the new Taste of Thailand, in association with Spekko, where you can stand a chance to win an amazing 7-day trip for two to Thailand from the Thai Embassy and wonderful prizes from Spekko.
Visit the Taste of Thailand zone to complete an entry form and while there, tantalize your taste buds with Thai cuisine from two of Joburgs favourite Thai restaurants paired with Singha Thai Beer and South African wines. Learn to cook Thai dishes, relax with Thai massages, shop for imported Thai orchids and get discounted travel packages from Thai Airways.
For those visitors who crave a more exclusive experience, this year’s festival offers the Taste Club House, a private lounge that will serve as your base for the show. This ticket comes with access to a complimentary premium bar facility, R200’s worth of Festival Crowns and a special Taste of Joburg gift - a ten-minute Indian head, neck and shoulder massage from Just Haven’s luxury mobile spa.
“It’s a big challenge - 2009 saw record numbers of visitors and the calibre of culinary talent was very high.
“However, this year we’ve brought together the best of all worlds to the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area - from outstanding food and drinks to wonderful new products and fabulous entertainment. We’re very excited – and equally confident- that this year Taste of Joburg is going to ROCK,” Drake concludes.
Please note:
Taste of Joburg 2010 was originally scheduled to take place at Bryanston High School, but will now be taking place at the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area in Fourways.
“Due to issues around the granting of liquor licenses at schools we have decided, in light of our responsible drinking policy, to move the festival to an appropriately-licensed venue,” says Festival Director, Justine Drake.
Additional info
Festival times:
Thur 30th Sept: 18h30- 22h30
Fri 1st Oct: 18h30- 22h30
Sat 2nd Oct: 13h00- 17h00; 18h30- 22h30
Sun 3rd Oct: 12h00- 17h00
Tickets:
Tickets are limited and booking is essential so don’t delay. Call Computicket on 083 915 8000 or visit www.computicket.com now to avoid disappointment.
Standard tickets cost R60 (including a Taste glass), Premium Tickets cost R150 (which includes R100’s worth of Festival Crowns and a Taste glass) and Taste Club House tickets cost R570 (which includes R200’s worth of Festival Crowns, plus lots of extras).
Taste of Joburg Festival Crowns:
Crowns are the Festivals’ official “currency”, which can be purchased at the festival from vendors walking around the festival grounds. Visitors use these Crowns to purchase sample dishes and drinks from the various exhibiting restaurants, bars and exhibitors. Each Crown is worth R5. Change is offered in Crowns only.