Good Food & Wine Show 2017

With the likes of Marco Pierre White and Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen on the menu, all eyes will be on the roster of local and international chefs taking the stage at the 2017 Good Food & Wine Show. This year the hotly anticipated Good Food and Wine Show takes place in Cape Town from 2-4 June, lands in Johannesburg for28-30 July, and wraps up in Durban on the weekend of 27-29 October.

While the chefs are certainly the star attraction, this annual gastronomic gathering is about far more than just good food, and this year sees a fresh focus on the world of wine, craft beers, artisan spirits and speciality coffee. On the bustling exhibition floor two dedicated areas will cater for visitors looking to taste and learn more about wine, beer and hand-crafted spirits.

“In wine there is truth,” wrote Pliny the Elder, and amongst the celebrated local wineries making an appearance this year visitors will find Benguela Cove, Bonnnievale Wines, Grande Provence and Raka, showcasing a true cross-section of South African terroir. Also look out for the wines of Org du Rac, a certified-organic producer from the on-trend Swartland wine district.

Along with sipping and swirling while chatting to the winemakers, visitors can also tap into expert wine knowledge in the ever-popular Wine Theatre. This year three of South Africa’s leading sommeliers – Lloyd Jusa (Saxon Hotel), Gregory Mutambe (12 Apostles Hotel) and Tinashe Nyamudoka (The Test Kitchen) – will delve into the fascinating world of wine, and share their experience and expertise in how to choose, cellar and enjoy South African wines.

“I love presenting at the Good Food and Wine Show because it is a family show,” says Jusa, the head sommelier and director of the Saxon Collection Wine Program at Johannesburg’s prestigious Saxon Hotel. “There’s enough time to attend to attendees personal enquiries without them feeling intimidated by the traditional restaurant setting.” Jusa will be giving visitors to the Wine Theatre the inside track on everything from the best value wines for a South African winter and choosing the right everyday wines, to how to pick a good bottle of wine from any given wine list.

If wine is the classic companion to a great meal, artisan gin is the on-trend addition to kick things off with, and at this year’s show there’s no shortage of juniper-infused spirit on offer. Don’t miss Malfy Gin, who will be showcasing their citrus-infused gin from the Italian city of Torino, while the clever kit from Love-Gin will teach you how to create bespoke botanical infusions at home.

Artisan gin came hot on the heels of the global craft beer movement, which also finds a home at the 2017 Good Food and Wine Show: look out for the unique cask-aged beers from acclaimed Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn.

Before you get stuck into the beer, wine and brandy – yes, Cape Brandy will also be on hand to showcase award-winning brandies crafted in the Western Cape – you may want to start with a coffee though. Although I will be giving away a bunch of things below, which includes the new Jack Parow Brandy from Drie Berge Distillery and Spirit Of Rooibos. So keep reading.

Coffee Comes In From The Cold

Artisan roasters and hipster-friendly coffee shops have become commonplace in South African cities, but this year’s show will introduce visitors to the cutting-edge of caffeine as exhibitors unpack the growing trend towards Cold Brew, caffeinated mineral water and Nitro Coffee..

Visitors will also be able to experience the latest in capsule coffee machines, with NESCAFÉ showing off its multi-beverage Dolce Gusto system at its pavilion. You’ll be able to savour a wide variety of the latest capsule flavours, from caramel Latte Macchiato and iced Cappuccino to Chai Tea Latte, and browse a variety of machines on sale.

Need expert advice? Stop in at Black Insomnia Coffee Company, the US-based roasters who have created the (in) famous Black Insomnia: officially the world’s strongest coffee, with 702mg of caffeine per cup.

That should help you pay attention to how the professionals get it done: in 2017 the GFWS has partnered with the Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa (SCASA) to host the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Regional Barista Championships. Take your seat to watch professional baristas battle it out in the cut-throat categories of latte art, cupping (‘blind’ tasting) and brewing up the best coffee in the house.

Expect More Flavour

Over 60 000 visitors attended the three Good Food & Wine Shows in 2016, and this year’s footfall is expected to increase with chefs like J’Something, Pierre White and van der Westhuizen on the bill of fare, the biggest elephant cake in the world and a wide selection of vendors and interactive installations showcasing food and fare from around the globe. The floor will be divided into nine exhibition areas for visitors to explore: Market, Street Food, Gourmet, Baking & cake decor, Kids, Wellness, Lifestyle, Wine, Beer and Spirits.

This year, the show hosts ten theatres, of which eight are free of extra charge for entry, serving up even more value for those attending. The Good Food & Wine Show theatres include Eat Well/Live Well, Wine Theatre, Baking Theatre, Cake Deco Lab, Chefs Open Theatre, Cooking with Chefs and the Kids Deco Lab; including the Chefs Table hosted at the Table Bay Hotel. The Show is also partnering with the Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa and hosting the 2017 Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal Regional Barista Championships.

Follow the Good Food and Wine Show on Twitter @goodfoodSA, Instagram @goodfoodsa and Facebook www.facebook.com/GoodFoodandWineShowSA #GFWS2017

Ticket Prices For 2017

The early bird online prices are valid up to one week prior to each show. Thereafter the door prices are applicable. Children under 12 can attend for free and Fridays are free for pensioners. Tickets are available online at www.goodfoodandwineshow.co.za and Computicket for Cape Town and Durban; and Ticketpro for Johannesburg.