Taste the Good Life Fair '10

Hemingways Casino is bringing East London’s stylish foodies a real treat. The Taste the Good Life Fair, to be held at Hemingways Mall on the 26-28 August is set to be an exhibition of gourmet discoveries with samples of everything from oysters to ice-cream to whiskey tasting, glimpses of the season’s latest fashions, and entertainment in the form of live music and a kitchen theatre Chef’s Cook Off.

The first ever Taste the Good Life Fair has drawn both local and national high-end food, wine and fashion exhibitors, including  Cape Legends; Bells Jewellers; Blue Ribbon; Shanghai; Hemingways Hotel; Gourmet Cheese Shop; Le Carra; Cape Town Fish Market; Vinimark; Café Bella; Irana; Cappellos; Primi Piatti;  SAB;  Checkers; Distell; DGB;  Connessieur Choice Distributors; Rich Products; Common Ground; Biltong Deli; Mostertdrift; Border Cricket; Sprada Coffee Machines; Cupcake Queen; La Royale Ocean Spa; Salad Daze; AVG Gallery; and Nina Deli. 

Over 40 exhibitors are excited at the opportunity to take part in a fair of this quality, right here in East London, where they will gain visibility and introduce consumers to new and gourmet products in an exciting environment that encourages sampling and discussion.  Natalie Naude, MD of Three Cities Events and the 2010 Exhibition Association of South Africa (EXSA) Chair says, “Exhibitions offer the perfect environment for companies of all sizes to display their products in a situation that enables them to educate consumers.  The circumstances allow for one on one interaction between exhibitor and consumer.  Face-to-face marketing is a powerful force that can help you achieve strategic and long-term relationships for your brand. Organisations in a specific category of interest or industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent trends and opportunities. ”

There is plenty to entertain for the ticket price of only R80. Not only will there be wine and gourmet morsels to sample – including sushi – but guests will enjoy the Fashion Sandwich Shows of new trends available at stores and boutiques this summer. Fashion shows are at 20h00 on Thursday and Friday and 17h30 on Saturday.

Whiskey tastings will be hosted by the knowledgeable Emil Den Dulk from Liquidity, and guests will be guided through the mysteries of Spice Tree, The Peat Monster, Oak Cross, Hedonism, Orangerie and others.  Guests wishing to participate are requested to book their places when purchasing tickets to the fair, or to call Saskia on 043 735 1926.

Some of the best local chefs have drawn their knives in preparation for the Chef’s Cook Off, which promises exciting kitchen theatre, with only one chef walking off with the trophy.  Each chef will get a mystery parcel of ingredients from Woolworths and 45 minutes in which to create a masterpiece that captures the audience’s fancy. Thursday night, 26 August, at 19h00 sees Dewald Hurter from Prana Lodge up against Oliver Coetzee from 2 Dogs Bistro. Friday night, 27 August, is the challenge between Candice Morton, the celebrated chef at Hemingways Hotel and Jo Styles from Salad Daze, also at 19h00. “I always wanted to do this,” says Styles, “I can either make a total fool of myself in front of the whole town, or I can have the time of my life!” The final between the best chefs will be on Saturday, 28 August at 16h30.  May the best chef win!

And when the excitement gets too much, fair goers will be able to relax to the soothing sounds of live jazz in the stylish Sarita & Peroni Lounge.

The event organisers, Di Stap Communications (DSC) anticipate 2000 visitors to the fair.

Determined to give East Londoners and out-of-towners another opportunity to live the good life, Hemingways Casino, in proud association with DSC, have put together an exciting event which aims to become an annual highlight on the calendar. “We’re proud to present an exciting showcase
of luxury products and new trends in food and fashion. It’s our intention that visitors to the Taste the Good Life Fair will discover something new and wonderful, that they will have a memorable time,” says Mike Page, GM of Hemingways Casino. Tickets are limited and are available from Hemingways Casino Help Desk 24 hours a day.