Tag Archives: Capsicum Culinary Studio

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 16 September

September 16, 2014

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* It is unbelievable that, after almost three months of pressure on Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, he has relented today, and agreed to delay the implementation of the unabridged birth certificate until 1 June 2015, just two weeks before the new Immigration Regulations were meant to apply from 1 October. The requirement of the permission of the other parent for the child to travel with one parent has also been delayed to June. On Friday the Minister announced at a media conference that the Regulations would be retained, and that a task team would evaluate the most effective implementation of them! One wonders what swayed the Minister to change his mind, after having been so stubborn for the past ten weeks! The personal application of biometric visas remains in place from 1 October.

* Western Cape Minister of Tourism Alan Winde has been quick to welcome Minister Gigaba’s announcement, but demands more: ‘It is my intention to ensure that a full impact study is conducted on them and handed to Minister Gigaba prior to them being reintroduced. The regulations that have already been implemented are threatening livelihoods in the sector. I will continue to push for their postponement too, until such time as a regulatory impact assessment has been conducted. Gigaba has now shown a willingness to work with other government departments and industry to mitigate the effects of his legislation on our economy and jobs, and I hope he will continue to take positive steps in this regard. The decision to place these two regulations on hold opens the door for South Africa to explore ways of becoming cutting edge. Through the use of smart technology, such as electronic visas, we can solve the problem of illegals while at the same time making our region more attractive to business and leisure tourists’. (received via media release from Minister Winde’s office)

* The 2014 Unilever Food Solutions Senior Chef of the Year is Germaine Esau from Delaire Graff, while the Junior Chef title went Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 6 August

August 6, 2013

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* The Brass Bell in Kalk Bay has to remove all its deck extensions, the City of Cape Town has dictated.

* Vida e Caffe is said to be opening at Shell forecourts, rolling out with 40 outlets initially, and a total of 300 is planned!

* Russia is now South Africa’s third largest export market, especially in bulk wines.

* The Hermanus Wine & Food Festival will be held at the outskirts of the town this weekend, on Friday and Saturday.

* Bistro Sixteen82 is focusing on South Africa in its Tapas themed dinners in August, with its ‘Bringing Tapas Home’ theme being traditional South African dishes with a contemporary twist. The ten local dishes include Bobotie, Bunny Chow, Malva Pudding, and Koeksisters. So far the Tapas themes have been Italy and Turkey, and Mexico and the Orient will follow. (via media release from Communication Services Africa)

* The Robertson Wine on the River festival takes place for the eighth consecutive year, over the weekend of Continue reading →

Tough winter for Cape restaurants, many restaurant and staff changes!

July 22, 2013

No significant events have been planned to attract visitors to Cape Town and the Winelands this winter, and it appears to be the worst winter ever experienced by the hospitality industry in the Cape. A surprise is the number of restaurant changes, as well as the the movement of staff between restaurants. Given the poor winter business, many restaurants have taken/are taking generous winter breaks. This list of restaurant openings and closings is updated continuously, as we receive new information:

Restaurant Openings

* Four & Twenty Café and Pantry has opened in Wynberg

* The Crypt Jazz Restaurant has opened below St George’s Cathedral.

* Orphanage Cocktail Emporium is opening Orphanage Club upstairs, with 1920’s style music by live performers, later this year.

* Cavalli restaurant on the stud farm on the R44 must be opening shortly, as Carl Habel has left the Mount Nelson Hotel as Restaurant Manager and Sommelier to join the restaurant.

* Shake your Honey is to open in the original Madame Zingara building on Loop Street next year, after renovations commence later this year, according to an iolTravel report. The ‘vibrant spirit of India’ is to be reflected in the 5-storey building, with a theatre, markets, restaurants, and shops.

* Burger King has opened its (second) Tygervalley branch. Branches at Cavendish and at Grandwest are to open soon. Continue reading →

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine: 11 July

July 11, 2013

Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

* Heathrow’s role as a hub may be diminished it it is not allowed to expand, writes TravelMole.

* A pan-European booking and information agency is to be created to streamline travel between European Union countries.

* An international restaurant review system Zomato has been launched in Johannesburg, and is to spread to Cape Town too, writes TechCentral.

* Cooking shows such as MasterChef SA and Social Media have enhanced South Africans’ knowledge about (healthy) food and dining out, says the Capsicum Culinary Studio.

* ‘Cabbages & Cannibals‘ is the theme of a 5-course 5-organic wine pairing ”top to tail’ dinner at Catharina’s Restaurant at Steenberg on 24 July.

* Giggling Gourmet Chef Jenny Morris has inspired a jewellery range at freeRange Jewels in the Cape Quarter, made by Marelé Lamprecht. Styling of the jewels was all food and very spicy, with chillis!

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