Taste of Cape Town this year was held at Green Point Cricket Club on a misty Thursday evening which just added to the atmosphere where foodies alike gathered to literally, Taste Cape Town. The words today are not flowing as freely as the wine last night which happend to be very hazardous, but it did mean that everyone had a fantastic time.
I found that there were not as many “producers and products” up for tasting as there were last year, and I missed seeing Pesto princess there this year, but that is probably because they are going to the Olive festival this weekend.
There were so many great things to taste and try, and buy though – and especially the wines.
My short list (of what I can remember from before too much wine)
Buffalo Ridge – Water buffalo mozarella
PugliaCheese – Mozarealla
Kingsriver Estate – Abrkooswijn
By Nature – Dried olives, Macadamia nuts, dried figs and dried pineapples
Yummi Brownies – Hazelnut brownie and Tiramisu brownie
Le Petit France – Camembert and Brie to die for!
And one of my favorites – Totally Wild aloe products with their choc-aloes and aloe juices.
14 of Cape Town’s top restaurant served starter sized portions or their signature dishes so why not plan your meal ahead with their online menu.
Our tastings between us included:
-Wang Thai’s – Spinach Cones filled with lemon, ginger, lemongrass, coconut, onion and peanuts and drizzled with a palm sugar sauce.
As well as - Geang Butternut Gai - Butternut, chicken and onion in a yellow curry
- Nobu’s Pork Belly with a spicy miso paste was a perfect way to warm up from the inside on a cold and misty evening.
- Fyndraai Restaurant – Carpaccio styled cured venison loin.
- Signal at Cape Grace – Dark chocolate and toasted coriander seed croustillant tart.
Luckily I did have my friend from Cape Town Breakfasts who was very organised, and helped remind me of a few of the things I had forgotten. I do apologise for such a brief post, but I need to make sure you see it, to make sure you go this weekend and experience, and taste, cape town. I will update you with a bit more soon, as well as the contact details and web sites.
Have you been? What did you think, and what were your highlights?
Thanks to Indigo Girl for a fabulous misty evening out. Oddly enough – or not oddly enough, there was much more alcoholic beverage tasting than food tasting! Probably the best discovery for me was the Peter Falke (yes, the hosiery guys!) Syrrah which was exquisite. I’ll definitely be visiting their farm soon.
Origins Coffee, even though we’re well familiar with their sublime nectar, was a welcome familiar face as the mist rolled in. And in the spirit of tasting, I tried their India blend instead of the always delicious house blend.
Last but not least, and it deserves a special mention for presentation alone, is Johnnie Walker. After experiencing most of the stands and the typical cape town festival attitude, I didn’t expect the level of intimate, personal and informative presentation that we received. Stepping into their mood lit tent; led by well groomed, polite and friendly staff; entering by velvet rope – we were guided through the history of Johnnie Black, Green and Red (no Blue!). Aided by visuals, an experienced host, wonderfully entertaining staff….I can’t even begin to share how impressed I was by the overall stand. Johnnie Walker thoroughly understand their brand and their consumers.
I’m a born and bred Cape Townian, so I accept the typical festival service. And so ultimately, it was the handful of stands who understood the opportunity to market their product who truly impressed me. In addition to the above mentions, there was also an apricot wine – more aperitif than wine – but the friendly assistant needs to be made mention of.
Thank you to the great company and thank you again to Indigo Girl.
xx