The return of Africa’s leading hospitality and catering exhibition, Hostex, which makes its way back to the Sandton Convention Centre heralds exciting changes to one of South Africa’s most popular trade expos. From 17 to 20 March 2013, visitors will be treated to four full days of hospitality industry networking, edu-tainment, service and product sourcing and everyone’s favourite, the culinary competitions.
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Henrico Grobbelaar, Executive Chef at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Azure Restaurant, will be travelling to Germany in late February, as the only South African chef to showcase his skills at the annual Rheingau Gourmet & Wein Festival. Co-hosted by Horst Frehse, the General Manager of Cape Town’s Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Grobbelaar will team up with esteemed Hemel-en-Aarde vineyard and winery, Bouchard Finlayson, to showcase some of its top quality wines, which will be expertly paired and served with Grobbelaar’s modern South African menu.
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After more than thirty years as one of South Africa’s leading country hotels, Magaliesburg’s landmark Mount Grace Country House & Spa is to become an independent brand.
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McDonald’s recently announced that it would be re-branding a number of its Australian outlets as Macca’s. Why? Well, because that’s apparently how many Australians refer to the fast food chain – a survey shows that some 55% of Australians use the name Macca’s instead of McDonald’s. Australians are, of course, particularly fond of nicknames, and a company spokesman had this to say: ‘We've been a part of Australia for over 40 years now and we're incredibly proud to embrace our “Australian-only” nickname. What better way to show Aussies how proud we are to be a part of the Australian community than by changing our store signs to the name the community has given us?’
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Sponsored by Pick n Pay, the Ultimate Braai Master is SA’s first original reality-based cooking television series, hosted by Bush-Cook Guru and author, Justin Bonello. Breaking the stereotype of simply braaiing, the first sizzling Season saw 15 two contestant teams travelling over 8000 kilometers to 13 locations across Southern Africa in a 52-day outdoor cooking road show...all whilst competing in a variety of gruelling gourmet challenges. Season two of the popular extreme cuisine cooking competition is now open for entries until 15 February.
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CHEF LUKE DALE ROBERTS is proud to announce the imminent launch and opening of the brand new, eagerly anticipated Pot Luck Club, situated on the top floor of the Silo of the Old Biscuit Mill on Albert Road, Woodstock.
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I was terribly sad to hear of the unexpected passing in November of Hazel Barnard, who had been a director of Hychem for many years. I first met Hazel around 1998 and had a great respect for her immensely professional and energetic, yet down-to-earth approach to everything, and her absolute commitment to the hospitality industry. Our heartfelt condolences from all at Restaurant Business magazine to her family, friends and colleagues. She will be missed.
- Hilary Ward, Publisher
Laid-back weekend vibes meet family fun on the farm, when Eikendal Estate sets the scene for its popular Weintaufe Harvest Celebration teeming with great wines, wholesome country-style fare and barrels of entertainment for young and old on Sunday, 3 March 2013. Over the past three decades the Eikendal Weintaufe has evolved into a not-to-be-missed highlight on the social calendar, attracting a vibrant crowd of young and old, all celebrating the harvest high jinks at this prominent Stellenbosch cellar.
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Hartenberg Wine Estate has added a vibrant new winemaker to its award winning team. Tammy Jeftha, the latest Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé is embarking on her career in winemaking and will be working under Hartenberg cellarmaster, Carl Schultz. This is the first time that a member of the Guild has appointed a protégé as a permanent member of the team.
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If Romeo and Juliet had to pick a spot for Valentine’s Day, they would be more than please with the enchanting Robertson Small Hotel, a five-star boutique hotel in the heart of Robertson (Western Cape). This Valentine’s Day, in the hotel’s mystical garden a sensory five course food and wine feast will be served under the moonlight. Executive Chef Tiaan van Greunen’s special interactive dessert indulgence promises a decadent high on the evening.
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Most hotel STAFF could write books about the strange side of human nature they see at work, but since discretion is the watchword none of those experiences are ever likely to see the light of day – except on the Protea Hospitality Group’s annual list of weird and wonderful GUEST requests submitted anonymously by STAFF from their 125 properties all over Africa!
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Following a few very tough years, the South African wine industry is being buoyed by a new sense of optimism on the back of record export levels, the likelihood of one of the best harvests this year, the penetration of new markets and growing praise from some of the wine world's most influential opinion formers.
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The next grand finale of the famous Bocuse d’Or
culinary competition will be taking place 29th-30th of January
2013 in Lyon, France. Enrico Crippa, chef owner of the Piazza
Duomo restaurant, in Alba (Italy), who was just granted three
stars at the Michelin guide, has been appointed as Honorary President.
He is the first ever Italian chef to become Honorary President
in the history of Bocuse d’Or. This choice is also linked
to the fact that Italy will also be the invited country of Sirha
(the World Hospitality & Food Service Event).
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more...
Nederburg has opened its first restaurant in
the more than 200-year history of the farm. While the tasting
centre of the popular Paarl winery has long offered a range of
themed food and wine pairings, the stylish new bistro-style restaurant,
called The Red Table, is the first à la carte offering.
It opened on Wednesday, November 28. Dishes will change regularly
to reflect the availability of fresh ingredients and to showcase
Nederburg wines in the news. The Red Table will also be running
flash sales on selected wines.
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more...
Following on the success of its elegant new Tasting
Centre, Rickety Bridge has carried out a total revamp of its restaurant.
The Restaurant in the Vines has made way for Paulina’s,
named in honour of the original owner of the property in 1797,
Paulina de Villiers. In keeping with current culinary trends,
the restaurant features a variety of half and full portions of
its exciting bistro style menu, allowing diners the opportunity
to sample and share dishes.
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more...
Famous Brands (JSE share code: FBR) has acquired
the franchise agreements, trademarks and intellectual property
of the Europa and Fego Caffé brands from family-owned business,
Antimo Foods. The Europa and Fego Caffé network currently
comprises 31 and 27 restaurants respectively. The effective date
of the transaction is 01 December 2012. The acquisition consideration
is not material, and will be funded via short-term debt repayable
over two years.
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more...
Africa’s most awarded airline, SAA, has
welcomed Tsogo Sun’s Executive Chef Benny Masekwameng aboard
to upgrade its premium and regional onboard menu. The signature
dishes of the celebrated MasterChef South Africa judge will be
introduced on all of SAA’s international premium class and
regional flights.
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more...
With just under a fortnight to go before South
Africa’s first ever Taste of Christmas begins at the The
Coca Cola Dome, the much-anticipated restaurant list has been
announced. “At Taste, we like to mix things up a bit and
keep it interesting,” says Taste Festivals Director, Justine
Drake. “And Taste of Christmas is no exception. Not only
do we have seven of the hottest restaurants, but also a truly
unique festive retail experience.”
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more...
Conceptualised by Ogilvy Cape Town, the current
Billads sampling campaign runs in 100 upmarket restaurants in
Gauteng and the Western Cape until mid-January, with the payoff
line ‘Clorets PURE, purifies any mouth’.
The creative incorporates humour to encourage consumers to purify
their mouth with Cloret’s PURE, before saying something
they will regret. The concept is built on the fact that Clorets
PURE has enhanced breath freshening properties, due to the natural
ingredient Neutrafresh, thereby entrenching Clorets as ‘The
Fresh Breath Expert’.
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more...
Congratulations to Michael Kewley who has been
appointed as the new General Manager of the Southern Sun Hyde
Park Sandton hotel, part of the Tsogo Sun group. Congrats are
also due to Nicolai Pareti who is the new Executive Chef of Bice
restaurant at the hotel.
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more...
The second annual 100 Women 100 Wines event took
place in Cape Town on Saturday, November 10. 100 women were selected
to attend the event after entering the “100 Women 100 Wines”
competition in October. These women then became judges for the
Top 100 Wines in South Africa. Event organiser, Clare Mack of Spill.co.za, says; “The
competition and event is such a unique concept that it is the
only event of its kind in the world. It makes sense though, if
you consider that eighty percent of wines sold in SA are bought
by women and that not many of us are wine connoisseurs, so judging
by palate is really the best way to go about it.”
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more...
Johannesburg; Thursday, 22 November 2012: The Netcare Group, which operates South Africa’s largest
private hospital network, has awarded Creative Coffees franchising
company, a division of Famous Brands, a contract to provide a
branded restaurant and retail solution to the hospital group under
the Net Café trademark. The contract was awarded after an extensive and keenly contested
tender process which relates to the conversion of all 38 existing
coffee shops situated in Netcare hospitals nationwide. The effective
date of the transaction is 1 November 2012.
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more...
SA Leisure Connexion is a Johannesburg-based
company and thus perfectly situated to represent Granny Mouse
in the Gauteng area. Adelbert Retief and Denise Theron have come
on board from 1st November 2012. Their main focus will be to generate
sales within the corporate and conferencing markets emanating
from inland to Granny Mouse which is situated in the Kwazulu Natal
Midlands only four hours from Johannesburg offering the perfect
country retreat.
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more...
On 15th November, The Fish & Chip Co‘Win
a franchise worth R500 000’ give-away competition drew to
a close. Multiple Fish & Chip Co. store-owner, Francois Beetge
was announced the winner and proud new owner of his third franchise.
After signing a franchise agreement, Beetge will be assisted with
site selection, provided a fully constructed and workable franchise
outlet complete with relevant shop specification, as well as R15
000 worth of initial marketing.
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more...
Food-lovers and connoisseurs are in for a treat
as Eat Out launches its first ever conference in the build-up
to the much-anticipated Eat Out DStv Food Network Restaurant Awards.
The conference will be held on Saturday 24 November at The
Westin Cape Town, a day before the awards ceremony is held at
the same venue.
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more...
The winner of the The Bollinger Exceptional Wine
Service Award, was announced on Friday 9 November at Riebeek Kasteel
as part of the Swartland Revolution, a celebration of fine South
African wines and cuisine. Wayve Kolevsohn received the Riedel
Glass Trophy and a trip to France with a visit to the House of
Bollinger Champagne.
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more...
In exactly one week the third Sanlam Investments
FoodWineDesign Fair opens on the rooftop of the Hyde Park Corner
shopping centre in Johannesburg. From the 23rd to 25th November
the rooftop will be home to artisinal brewers, distelliers, boutique
wine labels, leather crafters, bakers, tea blenders, carpenters
and more. Look out for the christmas cakes made from an old Scottish
recipe that has been handed down through the generations at the
FoodWineDesign Christmas by the Sea Booth!
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more...
Pietermaritzburg residents and visitors can now
satisfy their appetites with a slice of the good life, at the
new Scooters Pizza store.Scooters Pizza Pietermaritzburg owner, Thulani Sithole says that
he plans to bring value to the lives of both store patrons and
employees.“I am looking forward to making a daily difference in the
lives of my customers by placing them at the centre of everything
we do, and only serving superior meals which meet their needs
and enhances their dining experience.
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more...
On 8 November the Ekurhuleni Peermont Chambers of Commerce Trust
(EPCoCT), as part of an Emperors Palace Enterprise Development
initiative officially launched the Khuphukani Bakery and Confectionary
and donated over R800 000 to the five ladies who run the business.
Founded in 2006 by five local women the bakery was previously
housed in a small prefabricated building in the East Rand township.
Thanks to this grant of over R800 000, Khuphukani now has a much
larger new building from which to operate enabling the owners
to reach optimum growth in their business endeavour.
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As a developing and growing economy, South Africa offers a thriving
base for talented entrepreneurs to develop their business skills,
execute a viable management strategy and essentially maintain
a sustainable establishment. Even though young entrepreneurs will
have to overcome hurdles such as acquiring start-up capital and
high interest rate loan repayments, the key to winning a hurdles
race is steadfast momentum.
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more...
The Westin Cape Town, a haven of wellness and rejuvenation for
those seeking a transformative hotel experience introduces two
unique service offerings to enhance your stay at this five star
hotel. A bespoke and top class boutique wine store, World of Wine
and The Lobby Shop, a unique, elegant African gift and curio store
are the latest additions to the home of the Westin, inspiring
you to be your best.
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more...
Mauritius, Port Louis –August 21st, 2012 – St. Regis
Hotels & Resorts continues its dynamic global growth with
the highly-anticipated St. Regis Mauritius Resort, scheduled to
open on September 15, 2012. Situated on the South-West coast of
the island, also known as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’,
The St. Regis Mauritius Resort is set on the pristine white natural
beaches of Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, bordered by
a spectacular turquoise lagoon.
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The 3rd annual Stellenbosch at Summer Place extravaganza to be
hosted by Sanlam Private Investments (SPI) features a formidable
line-up of local chefs who will lend extra taste to this unsurpassed
wine, food, music and art extravaganza on Wednesday, 7 November.
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more...
December is a time for families to unite and spend some relaxing,
quality time together after a long year, and there is no better
place to do so than at Bushmans Kloof Wilderness and Wellness
Retreat.
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more...
South Africa, Stellenbosch, August 2012; MAJEKA HOUSE has recently
appointed an accomplished and experienced sommelier, Josephine
Gutentoft, to oversee the front-of-house and wine service in its
flagship restaurant, Makaron. Known for its award-winning interiors
and chef Tanja Kruger’s sophisticated smart-dining menu,
Makaron is set for even greater success with the arrival of the
vivacious, service-orientated Josephine who heads up the food
and beverage team for the five-star small luxury hotel in Stellenbosch.
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more...
FIVESTAR PR has once again pledged its services on a pro bono
basis to the Santa Shoebox Project, which kicks off on 1 September
this year with an ambitious target of no less than 100 000 shoeboxes.
The Cape-based PR agency has successfully driven the media campaign
for this inspiri
ng project since its inception.
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more...
Three decades of excellence at the pinnacle of winemaking has
been captured in an insightful coffee table book on food and wine
featuring all the members of the Cape Winemakers Guild, which
celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
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more...
31 July 2012 – DGB(Pty)Ltd are pleased to announce the
appointment of Ross Sleet as Marketing Manager of Boschendal and
Brampton Wines as of 1 August 2012
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more...
Chef Luke Dale Roberts, renowned for his culinary innovation
and boundary pushing, is thrilled to announce the establishment
of The Pot Luck Club Verbier, a pop-up restaurant. This exciting
new venture will be located at the popular Hotel Farinet in Verbier,
Switzerland for the ski season, which commences on 8 December
2012.
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more...
Harvest High Jinks at Eikendal WEINTAUFE 2013 
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