It’s the self-proclaimed culinary event of the year and it’s a very good party fenced in by delicious food. Here are 10 good reasons to visit Taste of Joburg if you’re in the big city this weekend.
The outdoor event will be running from the 26 – 29 September at the Montecasino Outdoor Event Area and is hosting 12 of Joburg’s top (read fanciest) Montecasino restaurants who have put together about three choices of starter-sized dishes designed to showcase taste.
1. The incredible food
If you’ve always wanted to go gourmet but the bank balance held you back, now is your chance. You can pick and choose some of the cities best dishes and eat your way through Joburg. Each dish is starter-sized (so don’t get a fright when present with your tiny cut of pork belly) but this means you can taste everything.
A delicious lamb dish from Prosopa Restaurant
I loved the iced cherry-filled waffle cone with almond praline and spun sugar from La Cucina di Ciro, but everything is beyond delicious.
2. The Consol cocktail mixology lab
Consol glass teamed up with expert bartenders Mixology to create a cocktail lab where they’ll teach you to make three different concoctions to take home with you in beautiful Consol jars.
Cocktail ingredients
Cocktail class begins
The Mixology barman doing his thing
The class filled up incredibly quickly, so make sure you make your way there first thing to book a seat.
3. The live music
There’s a great vibe at the Taste of Joburg with live music coming from all over. The central beer garden area has a live stage and other chill areas like the Bains Whiskey tent has its own crooners too.
So when your feet are getting sore and you want to give your taste buds a rest, grab a drink, find a seat and listen up.
4. Free Orbit chewing gum between courses
The event is sponsored by Orbits chewing gum and there are bowls of it making the rounds. Use it as a palate cleanser between courses.
5. Chef school
Top chefs give free classes at the Pick n Pay Chef’s Theatre. Listen to the MC throughout the event to catch a live demonstration that tickles your fancy.
I learnt how to make lilies from white chocolate thanks to Lindt Chocolate Studio’s talented chef, but there will also be culinary challenges, entertaining tutorials and Q & A sessions.
6. Jozi’s own craft beer
Yes Cape Town, Johannesburg has its own brew too. It’s made in revitalised industrial area Maboneng (read more about the hit precinct here) and has three beers on offer.
SMACK! Republic brewing company makes the Maboneng Maverick, the pale ale Braamfontein Brawler and golden ale Bree Street Belle – all named after inner city landmarks.
7. Lindt’s chocolate studio
I didn’t know that such a heaven existed, but Lindt Chocolate has its own chocolate studios in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Visit the stand to see how the Lindt Lindor balls are filled and grab a praline (or five). The chefs are incredibly talented and you’ve probably never seen so much chocolate in your life.
Filling chocolate Lindt Lindor balls
8. Lots of tiny burgers
If sliders are your thing then Taste of Joburg has catered for you. There are plenty of places offering tiny, delicious burgers to taste including a Kobe beef option from Braeside Butchery – it’s grass-fed and free range.
This is what real beef tastes like.
Asara also had their own mouth-melting sliders and paired them with their own award-winning wine – the Cape Fusion is definitely worth tasting.
9. Food art
Master Chef has got nothing on what some of these chefs can do. The Taste of Joburg is just as visually pleasing as it is delectable.
Look again, those are cupcakes, not flowers.
Forget the chocolate and roses, Yummy Flowers makes exquisite bouquets of flowers that you can eat.
10. The drinks
I could be wrong, but it seems there were a lot more drinks than food on offer.
Everyone made a beeline for the Jack Daniels Honey stall thanks to their Black Jack cocktail game, I discovered a Spanish drink called Ice Tropez (a stall you must find) and there are plenty of homegrown wines and beers waiting to be tasted.
The Jack Daniels barman
All in all, it’s a great night out and you don’t have to worry about picking the right restaurant – all of them have come to you.
Tickets
R80 Standard
Entrance to the festival and includes a tasting glass
R180 Premium
Entrance to the festival and includes a tasting glass and R100 worth of Crowns (The official currency of Taste of Joburg)
R685 Taste Clubhouse Experience presented by DStv
Entrance to the festival including a tasting glass, R150 worth of Crowns, Complimentary Bar (malt, wine, soft drinks) in a Private Clubhouse to use as a base for the show as well as a Taste of Joburg Gift
Currency
CROWNS are the festival currency used at Taste Festivals to purchase food and drinks from the restaurants, bars and exhibitors. CROWNS can be pre-purchased with Premium or Taste Club House tickets. CROWNS can also be purchased using cash or credit card at the event from the Taste Bank or from roaming Crown sellers dressed in pink. Each CROWN is worth R5 and prices range from 4 to 8 CROWNS per dish. Change is offered in CROWNS only.
