Epicureans visiting the 2013 SA Cheese Festival from 26 to 28 April can expect a gourmet adventure of more than 350 different cheeses from around the country.
The SA Cheese Festival draws more than 30 000 cheese aficionados annually and will take place at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch.
Friday night's festivities will continue until 10:00pm and include live entertainment, picnics and a leisurely browsing and tasting experiences. Highlights on the evening include the launch of Landbouweekblad food editor, Arina du Plessis’ new book, Boerekos, a cheese carving competition and a wine and chocolate pairing by Rooiberg Cellar. Nataniël, Jenny Morris, Brümilda van Rensburg, Herman Lensing and Shaleen Surtie-Richards will be on hand to share their food secerets while wine lovers can look forward to pinotage wines paired with exceptional dishes and guided by Beyers Truter, food consultant Heleen Meyer and singer Koos Kombuis.
If more than 350 cheeses are not enough, visitors can also sample olives, wine, decadently sweet deli products and treats like chocolate caramel toffees with parmesan. Some of the producers showcasing their products for the first time at the SA Cheese Festival include De Böcke Goat Dairy (Malmesbury), Mooigelegen Boerenkaas (Heidelberg, Southern Cape), and Madame Fromage (Paarl). Other producers to include on your to-do list are: Camphill Farm Community (Hermanus), Montagu Cheese (Montagu), Laerskool Buffeljagsrivier (Buffeljagsrivier), Langbaken Karoo Cheese (Williston), Taaibosch Kaas (Heidelberg, Southern Cape), Anysbos (Botriver) and Mysthill Farm (Swellendam).
Hanri Marais from Simonsberg will entertain visitors with remarkable cheese trivia while Diemersdal chef Nic van Wyk will delight with his creative cooking abilities. Chef Craig Cormack performs his magic with salts from all over the world paired with food and Fleur du Cap wine and the Durbanville Wine Valley will treat you to its finest Pinotage and local themed foods.
Tickets to the 2013 SA Cheese Festival are R115 from Computicket (no tickets at the gates). Senior citizens pay R90 and children 13 years and younger enter free.
Opening times for Friday is from 10:00am to 10:00pm, on Saturday from 10:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Wine tasting glasses will be on sale at R15 at the gates.