Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Food group Mondelez International has announced that it will start operating in our country.  It manufactures Cadbury sweets and chocolates, Oreo biscuits, and Stimorol.

*   Burger King has signed a deal with Sasol to open fast food outlets at petrol forecourts as of 2014. The number of such outlets to be opened has not been named.

*   Social Media has benefits, but how does one measure the ROI?

*   De Oude Bank Bakkerij in Stellenbosch has moved in the building to the corner of Church Street, now a retail outlet selling meat, wines, home made ice cream, and breads, with De Brasserij too.  Now called De Companje.

*   Honest Chocolate has launched its Hot Chocolate, served as a short espresso-style sipping chocolate.  It is made with organic ingredients and is free of cane sugar.  It is available at both their shops (66 Wale Street & The Woodstock Exchange, 66 Albert Rd), and at their retailers in the next few weeks.

*   Hartenberg Estate is hosting the Bottelary Hills Wine Route’s seasonal ‘Pop Up’ Winemakers Lunch on Sunday 25 August, in the underground maturation cellar.  The four course meal and wines costs R250.  The Bottelary Hills Wine Route – a sub-route of the Stellenbosch American Express® Wine Routes – includes Beyerskloof, Bellevue, Goede Hoop, Groenland, Hartenberg, Kaapzicht, Mooiplaas, Stellenrust, and Villiera. (received via media release from Random Hat Communications)

*   Is $41500 paid at an auction last week for a case of 1998 Chateau Petrus the highest price ever paid for wine?

*   Season Restaurant in Hornbill House in the  Hemel and Aarde Village in Hermanus is presently undergoing extensive interior renewal, with a new menu, a new manager (Franco Hamman), and a new team of waiters.  Owner and Chef  André van Vuuren recently ended a 5-year partnership with Creation Wines. When the ‘new look’ Season opens at the beginning of August his exclusive focus will be on the Season kitchen, where he plans to introduce a Bistro-style menu based on seasonal, locally produced ingredients.  A loyalty card will be introduced for locals. (received via e-mail from Season).

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com   Twitter: @WhaleCottage