We hope you’ve all been watching Season 2 of Sarah Graham’s Food Safari as religiously as we have! This exciting series has followed renowned food blogger and Chef Sarah Graham on her journey from Zimbabwe all the way to our fair city of Cape Town. 

​The last episode will air this Sunday, 31 January on M-net at 2 pm. Previously Sarah Graham’s Food Safari has enjoyed the 6pm time slot before Carte Blanche so be sure to make note of this time change. We’re sure you don’t want to miss the final instalment of this charming series. 

​Over 10 episodes (the tenth airing Sunday), Sarah has travelled to some truly exquisite South African destinations. Last episode (episode 9) saw Sarah in Knysna, surrounded by the gorgeous scenery of the Kynsna Lagoon and forests. We watched enviously as Sarah took a scenic boat ride on the lagoon and our mouths watered at her seafood dinner! 

​The next day Sarah went on a real safari at the Gondwana Game Reserve, just outside of Mossel Bay. This was a wonderful adventure for Sarah and the viewers who got to see the big 5! After this memorable experience, Sarah was back in the kitchen cooking up a delicious selection of her favourite South African dishes!

Without giving too much away, episode 10 will end the series on a high note as Sarah finally arrives in the Mother City. Her first stop is the Overture restaurant in Stellenbosch where Sarah and one of SA’s top executive chefs, Bertus Basson will source local and exotic ingredients to create some truly unforgettable dishes!

​For the perfect end to a spectacular 7 weeks, Sarah will host a sunset finger feast overlooking the picturesque Atlantic Seaboard for some friends and family.  This final feast will celebrate what is at the heart of the series; the unbelievable joy that goes along with good food and sharing it with the ones you love. 

​If you happen to miss Sunday’s episode there will be a repeat on Tuesday at 8:30 and 15:00 as well as on Thursday at 7:30. 
​
To try out some of Sarah’s amazing recipes at home visit her website at: http://afoodieliveshere.co.za. Here you can also learn all about Sarah and her culinary journey!

​Seven South African chefs were announced as ‘Trailblazers’ in the 2015 WWF-SASSI Trailblazer Awards, held at The Table Bay Hotel, on Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on Monday, 30th November 2015.
 
The seven awarded chefs are:
 
Chef Peter Pankhurst - Savoy Cabbage Restaurant
 
Chef Greg Coleman - East Head Café, Knysna
 
Chef Michelle Theron - Pierneef à La Motte
 
Chef Jocelyn Myers-Adams – Table Bay Hotel
 
Chef Hylton Espey - Equus at Cavalli Wine Estate
 
Chef Sias Tabambi - Harbour House Restaurant
 
Chef Jonathan Japha - Black Sheep Restaurant
 
Building on the phenomenal success of SASSI’s "Green, Orange, Red” guide amongst the South African public, the SASSI Trailblazer Awards recognise and celebrate chefs who are actively championing sustainable seafood practices in their restaurants.

Pavs Pillay, SASSI Programme Manager at WWF-SA, commented, “Our partnerships with chefs are inspired by a love of seafood and a shared commitment to help restore our overexploited seafood species. The chefs we are recognising have gone the extra mile in advocating the sustainability message.”
 
A previously awarded Trailblazer, and now Mentor, Chef Brad Ball of Peddlars & Co. in Constantia, Cape Town, added; “Chefs serve as the gatekeepers for the food and hospitality industry and therefore play a critical role in leading market forces and influencing popular taste. The reality is that chefs who support and promote ocean-friendly seafood can help ensure that there are fish to catch and enjoy tomorrow. My role is to do this, and to make up-and-coming chefs aware of what’s at stake.”
 
Clare Mack, of Spill Communications, and the awards organiser, said, “It’s gratifying to see, in the third year of these awards, that many restaurants are adopting sustainable practices in seafood, without any intervention or prompting. Sustainability is now mainstream, it has really caught on.”
 
The criteria on which the restaurants and chefs were assessed were:
               The restaurant’s seafood sustainability policy;
               The effectiveness of their communication of their seafood sustainability practices to their customers, employees and suppliers;
               Their level of engagement in communicating their seafood sustainability practices to a wider audience (e.g. via social media, TV appearances, etc.);
               The ‘Trailblazer factor’ i.e. those chefs and restaurants that are going the extra mile in promoting and supporting seafood sustainability.
 
The SASSI Media Award for 2015 was won by Daisy Jones, a journalist, for her cookery book, Star Fish, published by Quivertree Press. Daisy’s cookbook is a collection of recipes using only green listed seafood.
 
To find out more information on sustainable seafood choices visit http://wwfsassi.co.za/

This 3 day event takes place on 6, 7 & 8 November 2015.  Fri, Sat & Sun 3-9pm.

This is a unique and vibrant food, drink and music festival in the heart of Gugulethu. There will be over 60 wines to taste, a SAB Miller tent, a Food Truck Village, cooking demonstrations, and speciality beers. There will also be a BOS Marquee, masterclasses in wine and beer and an exclusive car display. 

Music is at the heart of this festival with live Jazz, live DJ’S and live music every day at the event.

This year GO GLAM in GUGS on Sat 7th November with the Best Dressed Woman's Competition and stand to win a R30,000 prize!

There will be a VIP tent sponsored by Jameson Irish Whiskey, Absolut Vodka and MUMM Champagne.
 
Free secure parking.  Strictly over 18’s.  Event takes place at the Gugulethu Sports Stadium, NY 49.

Tickets from Computicket. Entry R120. VIP tickets R450. Tickets also available at the gate.
 
www.gugulethuwinefestival.co.za  
facebook.com/Gugulethuwinefestival
Twitter: @gugsfest

​South Africa’s Top Rosé Wines were announced on the evening of Wed 30th Sept 2015 at The Radisson Blu Hotel Waterfront Cape Town. Here are the results of the Rosé Rocks wine competition:
 
Overall winner: Tamboerskloof Katharien Syrah Rosé 2015
 
Top 10 rosé wines in South Africa 2015:
 
Arabella Pink Panacea 2015
Brampton Rosé 2015
Eagle’s Cliff Shiraz Rosé 2015
Fat Bastard Pinot Noir Rosé 2014
Noble Hill Mourvèdre Rosé 2015
Noble Savage Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2015
Signal Gun Rosé 2015
Slanghoek Vinay Rosé Natural Sweet 2015
Tamboerskloof Katharien Syrah Rosé 2015
Warwick The First Lady Dry Rosé 2015
 
Top MCC rosé wines in South Africa 2015:
 
First place: Villiera Woolworths Brut Rosé
Second place: Klein Optenhorst Pinot Noir 2012 MCC
Third place: Plettenvale Brut Rosé MCC             
 
Over 160 wines were entered into the competition and tasted blind with no indication of vintage, wine farm or technical analysis. All the results were independently audited by Grant Thornton South Africa.
 
The judging panel, chaired by wine expert and industry legend, Allan Mullins comprised Neil Pendock, wine writer and judge with over 30 years’ experience; Marthelize Tredoux, a seasoned writer for winemag.co.za and winner of the 2013 Veritas Young Wine Writer award; Tinashe Nyamudoka, the head Sommelier and beverage manager at acclaimed restaurant The Test Kitchen; Praisy Dlamini, an accomplished winemaker and the first woman Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé (2008); and Malu Lambert, an established freelance food and wine journalist.
 
Allan Mullins said “The range of wines to taste was remarkable and the judging was no easy task, which just goes to show what an amazing wine category rosé has become in South Africa.” He added “the rosé wine category in South Africa has a fantastic future and Rosé Rocks competition has put it in the spotlight.”
 
Cavalli Estate’s Pink Pony Rosé was the winner of the Best Designed label for a rosé wine.
The Best Designed Label category was judged by Abigail Donnelly, food editor of Taste Magazine and chief judge of the Eat Out Awards; Jessica Ross, deputy editor House & Leisure Magazine; and Liam Mooney, an award-winning interior designer.
 
The aim of the Rosé Rocks competition is to recognize excellence in rosé winemaking and to promote the South African rosé category.
 
Visit the Rosé Rocks website: www.rosérocks.co.za or follow all the news on Twitter: @RoséRocksSA.

Willow Creek Olive Estate has become South Africa’s only olive oil producer to secure a foothold in the Top 100 list compiled by World Ranking Extra Virgin Olive Oils.

JOIN CHEF BRAD BALL
at the first ever pop-up to be held at this unique venue

Expect the unexpected!


5 COURSE FOOD & WINE PAIRING 

R350
Only 20 seats available
  DATE & TIME
Friday, 28th August 2015 at 7pm

VENUE Culture Club Cheese, 215 Bree Street, Cape Town

TO BOOK Contact Jessica Merton at Culture Club Cheese
072 696 7569  |  cultureclubcheese@gmail.com

For many years now, Fairview in the Paarl Winelands has been associated with innovation. This is because owner Charles Back has always been driven to source new wine varieties to introduce onto the South African market. One of these new varieties – also called unique varietals – is the Fairview Petite Sirah. There’s nothing petite about it, though: This is a robust wine that can definitely hold its own.  

Fairview Petite Sirah 2012 is the estate’s fourth and latest vintage. The first vintage was introduced in 2009 and the second in 2010 – both called Durif at the time. The third vintage, released in 2011, and the latest 2012 vintage are now both referred to as Petite Sirah.

Take a look at our Steller Story below, or visit https://steller.co/s/4fJ9B4SP2cZ.

South Africa’s first ever rosé wine competition has been launched, chaired by industry personality, Allan Mullins.  

Called ‘Rosé Rocks!’, this competition seeks to recognise excellence in rosé winemaking and to promote the South African rosé category. 

9 top South African wine judges will pick the best rosé wines made in the country.

Whether your taste is for a bone dry, pale pink rosé, or something a little sweeter with a bit more body, this increasingly popular style of wine has something for everyone. Rosé is the fastest growing category of wine in South Africa. Sales have trebled between 2007 and 2014.  

Allan Mullins commented, “This is an exciting development for consumers and winemakers alike. There's no doubt about it, rosé wine has sex appeal! It’s also the most versatile of wines, great for sociable occasions and it really works well with a wide range of foods.”  

Judging will take place on the 9th September 2015. Results will be announced shortly afterwards. All wines being entered have to be produced in South Africa.  

Following the announcement of the winners there will be a wine tasting open to the public.  

To read more about this exciting new competition please visit the website: www.roserocks.co.za.

You can also follow the news on Twitter: @RoseRocksSA.

Willow Creek Olive Estate has become South Africa’s only olive oil producer to secure a foothold in the Top 100 list compiled by World Ranking Extra Virgin Olive Oils (www.evooworldranking.org).  A ranking of #33 on the Top 100 Producers list establishes the Estate as a world player; while a #95 for their 2014 Directors’ Reserve allows them to use the ranking’s prestigious title of Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the Year awarded to the Top 100 olive oils achieving a score of 160 or more. 

World Ranking Extra Virgin Olive Oils determines the Top 100 Extra Virgin Olive Oils and the Top 100 Olive Oil Producers according to the number of awards received at 32 international competitions during a particular year. The competitions considered are weighted according to global importance, the number of entries received, the number of countries participating and the impact of the relevant competition’s outcome in major consuming areas of the world. 

Already on a roll for 2015 

After officially acquiring a position for South Africa on the world olive oil map, Willow Creek is already garnering points in order to maintain their position in 2015.Both extra virgin olive oils they entered in the 17thL’Orciolod’Orocompetition in Italy, was awarded Gran Menzione (Grand Mention): their Directors’ Reserve in the category for Intensely Fruity olive oils, and their Estate Blend in the Lightly Fruity category. Being the first international olive oil competition - held annually since 1999 –L’Orciolod’Oro is regarded as one of the most prestigious platforms from which to receive an accolade – or two. 

Almost simultaneously the Directors’ Reserve was granted a Gran Prestige Gold from amongst 500 competing olive oils at the Terra Olivo Mediterranean International Olive Oil Competition.  Seventeen countries vied for the attention of the 20 international judges but the Directors’ Reserve must have amply impressed the panel to be awarded between 86 and 100 points (out of a total of 100) needed to achieve a Gran Prestige Gold. This competition is weighted as the 3rd globally important competition in terms of the EVOO World Ranking. 

On another continent the Directors’ Reserve also staked its claim at the 2015 New York International Olive Oil Competition by winning a Gold Medal.  Competing against a record number of 671 olive oils from 25 countries, Willow Creek proudly flew South Africa’s flag by becoming SA’s only producer to earn their inclusion in the list of ‘The World’s Best Olive Oils 2015’ (www.bestoliveoils.com). This highly coveted distinction is bestowed on the various winners of the world’s largest and most publicized olive oil quality competition.

Willow Creek Olive Estate was also graced with no less than 94% in FlosOlei 2015, an Italian-based competition run by the well-known olive oil taster Marco Oreggia. During this competition expert and officially enrolled tasters representing the main olive growing regions in Italy, annually put hundreds of olive oils from around the world through their paces during rigid tastings to rate them according to quality.  

“The panels of judges for these international heavyweight competitions include the best olive oil connoisseurs the world over,” says Andries Rabie, MD of Willow Creek. “South Africa does not stand back when it comes to delivering quality olive oils – not even when contending with such olive oil giants as Italy and Spain.  And while awards prove the quality of our products, for us the best prize of all is sharing our passion with olive oil lovers around the world.”  

Willow Creek Directors’ Reserve – a giant amongst olive oils 

The Directors’ Reserve is Willow Creek’s flagship product – an ultra-premium robust olive oil where the dominant cultivars of Coratina and Frantoio are carefully fused to create this powerful composition. Expect complex aromas of tomato vines and artichokes, followed by nuances of rocket, salad herbs and a lingering nuttiness.  Experts agree that the satisfying bitterness associated with a robust olive oil and the tingling pungency provide the prefect structure in balance with the distinct flavour.  

Willow Creek’s range of products are available at delis and retailers including Woolworths, Checkers, Pick n Pay, Food Lover’s Market, Spar, Makro and Montague Dried Fruit & Nuts. They also have a tasting room and shop on the estate that are open to the public, as well as a nursery that sells olive trees.  

For more information, visit www.willowcreek.co.za or contact Willow Creek at 023 342 5793 or info@willowcreek.co.za.