Festival will be a delight of culinary heritage experiences

Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom.

With the core focus on promoting culture, heritage and tourism, the inaugural Cape Town Food and Wine Festival will make its debut in the picturesque Westridge Gardens this Sunday September 23 and Monday September 24, which is Heritage Day.

The festival, which is endorsed by Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom, will also see the launch of the Mitchell’s Plain Tourism Route, to unlock and develop local tourism and hospitality opportunities for Mitchell’s Plain and the Cape Flats.

Mr Hanekom will deliver the keynote address at 2pm on Sunday.

Businesses involved in the festival say it has huge potential to inject money into the local economy and to be a draw card to boost tourism. “It’s an awesome opportunity for us to be involved in this event,” said Grant Adams from Distell, which has an extensive portfolio of brands, including Nederburg and Drostdy Hof, under their label.

There will be a wine courtyard where festival-goers will be able to taste and savour wines from local winemakers and internationally renowned wine estates, as well as sample produce from emerging farmers and agri workers in the agricultural sector. The Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute, which offers various courses in agriculture, including viticulture, will also be on hand to expand on the career possibilities in the sector and the study opportunities available at the institute.

And to delight your taste buds, there will be various dishes to sample prepared by seasoned and trainee chefs. On the entertainment front, The Rockets will have you singing along to old, mellow favourites while brothers Emo and Loukmaan Adams, Salome, D’Low, Brent Kruz, Clint Lotz – all from Mitchell’s Plain – and many others, including Vernon Castle and the finalists from the Premium Sports Bar karaoke competition, will keep you enthralled.

There will also be entertainment for the kids, a farmers market, a food court and cooking demonstrations and arts and crafts from local crafters.

Tickets for the festival, which opens at 9am on both days, range from R40 to R350. Book through Webtickets, buy your ticket from Premium Sports Bar in Westridge or from the kiosk, which will be stationed on the corner of Dagbreek Avenue and Morgenster Road. For more details, email info@ctfw.co.za log on to www.capetownfoodandwine.co.za find them on Facebook or call 082 633 1570.