Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* MasterChef USA is said to have been ‘cooking up a lie’, Chef Gordon Ramsay giving contestants cooking lessons prior to the filming of episodes, according to the revelations on the blog of a former contestant on the show. The producers responded that each contestant has access to information and to training. ‘Each home cook is given professional training before the challenges to ensure they can cook something decent when they start recording’, it was written. No such training has been given to MasterChef UK contestants however.
* Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his counterpart in Saudi Arabia. No further details about the agreement are available.
* The Franschhoek Wine Tram has grown from strength to strength in its first year of operation, having added buses on two routes, and still running the Tram to Grande Provence and Rickety Bridge. Wine estates that are reached by hop-on hop-off bus are Mont Rochelle, La Couronne, Moreson, La Bri, Holden Manz, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, and Leopards Leap.
* Winemag.co.za has been acquired by wine taster and writer Christian Eedes, once editor of the print version of the magazine, and Jacqueline Lahoud, who worked with Eedes at Ramsay Media. The digital site has 13 000 unique users per month. The new owners’ focus is to become the ‘premier source of information concerning the South African wine scene’. (received via media release from Christian Eedes)
* Ken Forrester Vineyards is hosting a German evening, with tasting of Weingut Dr Hermann wines, German food, and music, on Thursday 20 February from 18h30 at its cellar door. Cost is R150. (received via e-mail from Ken Forrester Vineyards)
* The Western Cape government’s Liquor Authority has closed down two outlets, the Florentine in Observatory and Die Bult in George, for trading without a valid liquor licence. The Springbok Pub in Stellenbosch was fined R50000 for exceeding trading hours, and Saldanha Liquors received a R40000 fine for selling liquor to illegal shebeens. (received via media release from Minister Alan Winde’s office)
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter: @WhaleCottage
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