Tag Archives: South African Cheese Festival

Corona Virus: Cancellations of events and temporary closures of Tourist venues and restaurants!

South Africans are still reeling after hearing the speech broadcast by President Cyril Ramaphosa yesterday evening in how the government is implementing measures from today onwards in combatting and containing the Corona Virus in our country, with drastic consequences for every one of us, including every business. News of the first event cancellations and temporary restaurant closures is being announced already. Continue reading →

Western Cape cheese the focus at 2015 South African Cheese Festival!

Cheese Festival selection of cheesesThe 14th South African Cheese Festival opens today, and runs over the next three days, with more than 30000 visitors expected.  Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities Alan Winde will open the Festival today, and wants to see Western Cape cheese the focus of our country’s cheese industry, and that it be exported.

Two records have already been set for the 2015 Cheese Festival: it has the highest number of exhibitors ever, and the largest amount of space dedicated to cheese exhibitors in the history of the Cheese Festival.  The Cheese Festival is so popular that tickets for today and tomorrow are sold out already.

Visitors to the Cheese Festival will be introduced to new cheeses, and can enjoy cooking demonstrations, live entertainment, and meet personalities:

*   In Dairy Square the Checkers Cheese Emporium has been set up.  In the Checkers Continue reading →

April is Food Festival time in the Cape

Four food festivals in April will give food lovers something to look forward to, and will be a tourism boost to the towns in which the festivals will be taking place.   Unfortunately, some of the festivals overlap, but being longer than one day each, may still attract visitors to all events.

The South African Cheese Festival takes place over the long weekend (for those taking Monday 26 April off) from 24 – 27 April at Bien Donne, outside Franschhoek.  It offers Turophiles (cheese lovers) lots of cheese tasting, with artisan cheese makers displaying their special cheeses, as well as more standard supermarket ones at the Checkers Cheese Emporium.  Well-known entertainer Nataniel will be one of the celebrities doing a cooking demonstration, as will Soli Philander (Cape Talk), Beyers Truter (Beyerskloof), and food editors of women’s magazines.   Related products such as breads, pestos, wines, preserves and olives will also be sold.   The Festival is open from 10h00 – 18h00 daily, and the entrance fee is R 110 on the weekend days and R 90 on the week days.  Tickets must be bought at Computicket and Checkers, and are not available at the gate.  More information: www.cheesefestival.co.za

The Lamberts Bay Crayfish and Cultural Festival runs from 22 – 25 April, and offers crayfish at R 70, which includes salad, potatoes and a choice of two sauces.  Oysters will also be available at R 10 each.   Paella will be served at beach restaurant Muisbosskerm.  More than 100 stalls will be set up, and a new addition is the Music Festival, which includes performers such as Steve Hofmeyer, Thys die Bosveld Klong and DJ Ossewa, amongst others!   Ticket prices change per day of week, and range from R 40 – R 140.  More information: www.kreeffees.com

The Riebeek Valley Olive Festival takes place for the 10th year in Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West from 30 April – 2 May.   Olives are prepared and presented in numerous ways, to taste and to eat, as are the excellent wines, especially shiraz and ports (Allesverloren in particular), from the region.   No entry fee.  More information: www.riebeekvalley.info

The Prince Albert Olive Festival is only two days long, on 30 April and 1 May, and is a celebration in honour of the Prince Albert valley and what is produced from it, focusing on olives.  Entertainment is offered with the play “Dinner for one”, “antique” films will be screened, open gardens can be viewed, historical walks are offered, and a half marathon has been organised.   African Relish is offering a Cookery Course.  More information : www.patourism.co.za

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

Franschhoek says cheese!

The annual South African Cheese Festival will be held at Bien Donne on the outskirts of Franschhoek from 24 – 27 April from 10h00 – 18h00 every day.   About 20 000 visitors can be expected at the Festival.

Not only will well-known cheesemakers such as Miki Ciman from La Masseria display their award-winning cheeses, but there will also be demonstrations on butter and cottage cheese making, and well-known chefs will prepare their favourite dishes.  Nataniel will also do cooking demo’s.

Tickets for the Cheese Festival must be bought at Computicket and at Checkers stores, and are not available at the gate.