The Pick n Pay Taste of Durban is back from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July at Suncoast Casino & Entertainment World (Suncoast). Chefs from nine of Durban’s top restaurants will create special menus of starter-sized dishes, including their signature dishes, designed to reflect their individual philosophies, whilst showcasing seasonal and premium ingredients. Taste of Durban 2014 promises to be the most exciting ‘foodie’ event of the year.
Marcelle Roberts from Café 1999 is back for the third-year running with her inimitable brand of casual cuisine. Louise Potgieter from Havana Grill at Suncoast and Themba Mngoma from Little Havana. Newcomer Nardia Adams, from Asian Tapas spot Greedy Buddha, will be cooking up a storm on the grill with Lucy Markewicz flying the colours for Freedom Café. Popular Indian restaurant Amaravathi Palki, Market, Beluga Durban, Vigour & Verve and exciting new addition to the line-up this year, The Durban eKasi Experience, brings the total of participating restaurants to nine.
Over three days, this unique international restaurant festival will bring together Durban’s most dedicated and sophisticated foodies in an
al fresco, dining celebration. Visitors will have the opportunity to sip, sample and shop their way around the festival. This year’s show offers a range of brand new features and culinary experiences, to ensure that there is something for everybody to enjoy.
“We are thrilled with the wide range of restaurants, features and suppliers we have participating in Taste of Durban this year,” says Event Director, Justine Drake. “The event is growing year on year and we are excited at the prospects of a bumper turnout in 2014.”
‘Must-do’s’ include:
_ One of the show’s most popular attractions, the Pick n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre, where top chefs showcase their culinary skills in fun and informative cooking demonstrations, culinary challenges and entertaining Q & A sessions.
– The Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience, is an interactive area where guests will learn how to create simple, stylish and delicious canapés, while being instructed by wine experts on how to pair each canapé with a wide range of wines to complement the balance of flavours.
– The LINDT Master Chocolatiers will be hand making delicious LINDOR truffles and fresh pralines, as well as selling their delectable EXCELLENCE and CREATION slabs and a variety of LINDOR balls. Come and enjoy the finest LINDT chocolate that melts in your mouth and gently caresses all your senses.
– Castle Milk Stout Experience – Castle Milk Stout will bring a taste experience to be savoured to Taste of Durban 2014. Chill out in the marquee and lounge area, complete with the ambient sounds and a tasting experience that shows the full credentials of the full and complex flavours of Milk Stout and its pairing with food.
– Robertson’s Butcher’s Block in association with Big Green Egg – A gastro theatre dedicated to all things meaty. Chef Craig Elliot and Celebrity Butcher Caroline McAnn will collaborate with local butchers to harness Robertsons 90 years of sourcing and blending spices. Your braai will never be the same again as you create a Robertsons Combination that comes alive in these versatile rubs. All dishes will be prepared in The Big Green Egg, which rethinks the South African braai, uses the ancient clay cooking technique ‘Kamado’. Featuring in the Butcher’s Block is Certified Karoo Meat of Origin- mutton and lamb which is guaranteed to be free range, fully traceable from the Karoo region, free from added hormones and routine antibiotics
– BP Wild Bean Café – Two millions cups of Wild Bean Café coffee are sold and enjoyed every year. BP Wild Bean Cafés use only 100% top-quality Arabic beans – sourced from Tanzania, Gautemala, El Salvador and Brazil – offering the best combination of sweetness, acidity and bitterness. At Taste of Durban, our Wild Bean Café Baristas will hand-make your favourite coffee, latte or hot chocolate to perk you up and keep you going!
– The CTA Benefit Stage – The social responsibility initiative, Cape Town Angels, has teamed up with the organisers of Taste Festivals South Africa to bring a coast-to-coast charity challenge to Durbanites. They will host the all-new Call to Action (CTA) Benefit Stage, where a line-up of local artists will entertain by donating their time and talent as an act of active volunteerism. In doing so, they will call foodies to do the same by challenging them to support local charities showcased at the event with their own time and talent donations. One such organisation will be the KZN Branch of ASSITEJ SA, a NPO aimed at transforming society through children’s theatre and so “changing the world one child at a time”
Besides the amazing range of restaurants, suppliers from around the country are pulling out all the stops to make this show a feast for every visitor. Black Mamba Chili will have their fiery gourmet chili product range on offer, while visitors looking for something sweet will love crowd favourite’s Kupcake Heaven and the amazing creations from CakeLab. Meat lovers can look forward to a range of delicious cured meats from father and son team Col’tempo Salumeria.
Bringing a taste of the Cape to our sub-tropical shores, some of the country’s best wineries will showcase their award-winning wines – Idiom Wines, Hermanuspietersfontein, Orange River Estate, Thelema Mountain Vineyards, Waterford Wine Estate, Welgemeend Wine Estate, Wildekrans Wine Estate and Stellenbosch Vineyards.
Visitors will be spoilt for choice with the delicious range of frozen, authentic ready-made drinks from Original Iced Cocktails. An essential stop for all Whisky “fundi’s” is the Aficionados stand, to sample the critically acclaimed Balblair and Kavalan single malt whiskies.
Taste of Durban Festival SCOINS
The South African Gold Coin Exchange is the official sponsor of the festival currency, Scoins. Scoins can be purchased at the festival from the Taste Bank or Scoin Sellers walking around the festival grounds. Visitors use Scoins to purchase sample dishes and drinks from the various exhibiting restaurants, bars and exhibitors. Each Scoin is worth R5. Change is offered in Scoins only.
To book tickets: Visit ITickets on www.itickets.co.za or Pick n Pay tickets on www.pnptickets.co.za
– Standard Ticket – *R80 – Entrance to the festival including a glass
– Premium Ticket – *R180 – Entrance to the festival including a tasting glass plus R100 worth of Scoins (the official currency)
– Taste Clubhouse Presented by DStv Ticket – R685 – entry to the festival, a free tasting glass, R150 Scoins, a private clubhouse to use as a base for the show with a complimentary bar service (wine, malt and soft drinks) plus a Taste of Durban Gift.
WIN WIN WIN!!!
We are giving away 10 tickets to Taste of Durban 2014.
To enter, leave us a comment below and tell us what you are looking most forward to at the Taste of Durban.
Competition ends on 13 July.
Larrinae Ballantyne
11 July 2014 at 8:33 am
Im really looking forward to the Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience. Last year it was fantastic to learn how to complement food with wine. Can’t wait to do it again this year.
Taryn
11 July 2014 at 8:46 am
I have never been to the Pick ‘n Pay Taste of Durban and would absolutely love to go! I pretty much would look forward to every aspect of the event, from the delicious tasters of delectable food to the amazing beverages on offer. I also look forward to the social aspect of the event, you get to meet the restauranteers of durban and get to enjoy the vibe and people of durban! What better way to celebrate “winter” in sunny durban than eating yummy food and soaking in the atmosphere!
Shireen Steytler
11 July 2014 at 8:53 am
The Lindt section for me and the Butcher block section for my hubby!
Asha
11 July 2014 at 8:58 am
I love food and wine with a passion and would love to be a part of this experience:-)
Pooja
11 July 2014 at 9:02 am
I am an aspiring amateur home chef and would love to learn how the professionals wow us with their culinary skills!
Dawn W
11 July 2014 at 9:02 am
I am looking forward to the Lindt Master Chocolatiers, the best chocolate in the World!!!! Wonderful venue, wonderful city, so much to enjoy!!!
Jessica
11 July 2014 at 9:04 am
I am looking forward to seeing Chef Craig Elliot and Celebrity Butcher Caroline McAnn
Bianca
11 July 2014 at 9:05 am
I would love to win tickets to the taste of durban! I went last year and it was so much fun and such an experience! I enjoyed trying all the food and drinks I have not been exposed to before, the people were amazing and it is truly an event that brings Durban together. I would love to go again.
Gloria
11 July 2014 at 9:07 am
I would love tickets to this awesome event, best weather, and of course being in Durban it is definitely THE place to be, I am most looking forward to the Pick n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre
Pratishka
11 July 2014 at 9:13 am
I’ll be looking forward to tasting and drinking some of the finest cuisine Durban has to offer, all whilst creating those everlasting moments and memories that Taste of Durban is renowned for. Fingers crossed ^^
Dianne van Heerden
11 July 2014 at 9:14 am
I have never been so would look forward to the entire experience. I love to get ideas on how to compliment food and wines as well as cooking ideas. I think this is right down my alley
trishana
11 July 2014 at 9:16 am
i am looking forward to learning how to make more cocktails. it was fun last year!
Amanda Wellmann
11 July 2014 at 9:19 am
The LINDT Stall will be my first port of call!
Julie
11 July 2014 at 9:22 am
I have never been to the Taste of Durban Festival but have always wanted to go. Unfortunately there has always been something that has prevented me from goin from burthday events to weddings etc. I am an artist and I love any creative process and love cooking too. This would be such an amazing experience. There would be so much to learn from being around such local creative and talented people in the art of cooking, not to mention the tasting experience! Friends and myself eat out a lot and it would be so great to experience all the different foods and discover new places!
Marilese Gomes
11 July 2014 at 9:28 am
I am looking forward to all the amazing did tasters and the booze tasters! Last year there was even dessert tasters! Yum yum yum!
Claire Van Wyk
11 July 2014 at 9:31 am
Taste of DURBAN!!!!!
where to start!!
First off i have just completed my 12 week fitness challenge and let me tell you brown rice and tuna is nothing to write home about! I need to feel the taste of real food on my taste buds again guys! secondly I’ve gone 12 weeks with out chocolates!!!!! do you know what that does to a person??? no seriously, no chocolate what so ever!!! Please Durbanite , let me have this one night of rip roaring chocolate sin before i go and buy a months worth of chocolate and sit at home crying over the fact that i cant go to Taste of Durban due to me being to large to fit in my car anymore 😉
x
isobel Sobey
11 July 2014 at 9:35 am
Beautiful Durban, good food, great atmosphere what more could you want! Yeah TOD 2014!
Angela
11 July 2014 at 9:37 am
I’m so keen to see Lucy Markewicz from Freedom Cafe! I love their food, and I love their vibe!!!
Paul
11 July 2014 at 9:42 am
Taste of Durban, start off with a few awesome canapes, a good taste of wine from our beautiful Cape, or a beer from the Castle Milk Stout stand, and some Lindt truffles and a Wild Bean Coffee as dessert while enjoying live entertainment from the CTA Stage… Sounds like a perfect day to me, and every reason to get excited about the Taste of Durban
Megan
11 July 2014 at 10:00 am
I’m looking forward to it all! I’ve never been before and I love being in the kitchen and creating new dishes all the time!!! What a phenomenal experience this would be to be in the company of food gurus to inspire creativity in the kitchen!
Chantell van den Blink
11 July 2014 at 10:11 am
Lindor truffles from Lindt master chocolatiers!
Charmaine
11 July 2014 at 10:20 am
I am looking forward to taste some really good food and cakes
johan
11 July 2014 at 10:34 am
The LINDT Master Chocolatiers!! Misssed it last year, and really want to be a part of it this year, GO Taste of Durban & The Durabnite!! You guys rule
Wesley
11 July 2014 at 10:52 am
I am looking forward to learning a thing or 2 at the Pick n Pay Fresh Living Chef’s Theatre! I want to surprise my wife for our 10 year anniversary this year by cooking for her and I have heard this is the place for some great tips and ideas. It is a great night out too with friends whilst having the pleasure of sampling some great drinks & food, and my wife & her friends just love the The LINDT Master Chocolatier stall (me too if I must be honest!).
Danica Nayar
11 July 2014 at 11:11 am
Hi 🙂
I would love to win these tickets for my hubby. He is a true foodie and has been talking about this for weeks!
He is British and has only been living in Durban for one and half years now, so this would be an awesome event to show him how its done in good ol Durbs 🙂
Plus I’m not a great cook, he needs this!
Thanks fellow Durbanites for all the comps 😉
Jessica
11 July 2014 at 11:13 am
I have yet to attend a Taste of Durban. However I am food lover of a note, I make it a habit that once a month I take my mother to a restaurant that we have both never been to and we can only order items that we have never had before. This results in sometimes the most mouth-watering delightful surprises we have ever come across. I have had the pleasure of eating at Havana Grill, Market and Beluga and I look forward to these chefs creating their best and most innovative dishes as well as the tantalizing results! It will be a great day for all food and drink enthusiasts, cannot think of a better way to spend the day or weekend!
Grant
11 July 2014 at 11:28 am
Impossible, absolutely impossible to choose a specific thing about The Taste of Durban that I am looking most forward too. I suppose I can say the amount of varied food and drink that will be available is the absolute highlight, the food and drink pairings – Castle Milk Stout Experience, Having a glass of white wine while sampling Palki’s curries, A little whisky while visiting Cafe 1999, A cocktail and Little Havana, I think I am going to need to win multiple tickets for multiple days ! So much to see and do and eat and drink !!
Catherine
11 July 2014 at 11:57 am
The Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience, and the Lindt!!
ashishta gokhul
11 July 2014 at 1:29 pm
I would love to win!! Looking forward to the Lindt Master Chocolatiers, the best chocolate in the World!!!! <3
Ashleigh
11 July 2014 at 2:05 pm
I am a food and drink fundi of note and the pick n pay canapé would be a great first stop with first class explanations and pairing of wines, then to Lindt and to end off with the whiskey experience! Iv always missed the taste of Durban show and have still not had the chance to go except for this year… My calendar is open and saved for this show!
Andrew
11 July 2014 at 2:08 pm
I’m looking forward to the Stellenbosch wineries.
I stayed in Stellenbosch/Somerset West for the last 7 years and just recently moved back to Durban.
Nishantha Moodley
11 July 2014 at 4:08 pm
The lindt stand! I lurv chocolate 😉
Lizzy
11 July 2014 at 4:26 pm
You had me at chocolate and beer!
taniqua
11 July 2014 at 4:44 pm
I am looking forward to trying every single dish from each of the restaurants there! I go every year and it is AMAZING!!!
Marc
11 July 2014 at 5:38 pm
Its a tie between LINDT Master Chocolatiers and the castle milk stout experience!
Michelle
11 July 2014 at 5:40 pm
The LINDT Master Chocolatiers – really, can there be any other choice?
Charmaine
11 July 2014 at 5:42 pm
The Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience – I didnt get a chance to go the last time and would reallly love this
Pragasan Naidoo
11 July 2014 at 8:13 pm
It will be my first time , except for the obvious for the food, I just wanna experience the event as a whole .
Janet Moses
11 July 2014 at 8:40 pm
I would really love to win tickets for the Pick N Pay food Festival as I never had the opportunity to attend of of theses fine festivals. Would really be so exciting if I could win some tickets. My birthday is next week Sunday. It would really make my birthday more exciting.
Jacqui Botha
12 July 2014 at 6:00 am
Cant wait to visit The Pick n Pay Wine and Canapé Experience Kupcake Heaven Lindt and wine tastes!!
ria
17 July 2014 at 11:43 pm
cant wait to taste all the LINDT chocolate
Kerry-Lee
18 July 2014 at 7:10 am
I have never been before but I would love to see the Lindt stand!!!
Ryan Quevauvilliers
19 July 2014 at 10:29 am
what a awesome prize <3
FC (Jessica) Huang
20 July 2014 at 12:19 pm
I would love to take my friend who is visiting Durbs from Dubai to this exciting event. She enjoys good food and loves to try out different cuisines. I can’t wait to enjoy a glass of wine at the pick ‘n pay wine and canapé experience with her and finish off with some lindt chocolate! Mmmmm….
Angela Gabell
23 July 2014 at 2:55 pm
I am looking forward to tasting the LONDOR Truffles from Lindt.
Angela Gabell
23 July 2014 at 2:56 pm
I am looking forward to trying the Lindt LINDOR truffles <3