Johannesburg - Gauteng, are you ready for 65 000 fresh succulent oysters? The 10th Oyster, Wine & Food Festival will be taking place at Montecasino at the end of the month. And due to the popularity of the festival in the past, the organisers have added a third day to ensure no one misses out.
Opening times are: Friday, May 29, from 3-8pm; Saturday, May 30, from 11am-8pm and Sunday, May 31, from 11am-5pm.
The organisers promise to deliver 65 000 oysters flown in from Knysna, 300 different wines from 32 wine estates, gallons of beer and gourmet food offered by more than 30 exhibitors.
With so much on offer, you are sure to have your palate tantalised with the offerings.
Over the years this festival has attracted people from far and wide and has grown from strength to strength with a focus on upmarket quality and variety at a pocket-friendly rate.
Whether you wish to taste the diverse wines on offer, sip some bubbly or enjoy your favourite beer, doing pairings with fresh succulent oysters (you could even dress the oyster up with Ol’Faithfu: lemon, black pepper and Tabasco; or A l’il Tangy: onion vinaigrette, or a Sushi oyster: wasabi, soy sauce and pickled ginger) or just laze around and catch some fine tunes, but be assured there is bound to be something for you.
“We specialise in showcasing hand-picked wines and gourmet foods that are presented by local citizens.
“We celebrate the perfect pairing… a party in the mouth! Taste the perfect oyster with a crisp bubbly, drink an opulent red wine with a bite of smoked meat or sample a ripe Brie with an astringent Sauvignon Blanc.
“We invite all foodies, wine lovers, beer drinkers and total beginners for a memorable gastronomic experience,” says Judith Lee from Full Volume Events joint-festival organiser.
Fresh oysters, along with grilled prawns will be available in abundance for famished festival-goers.
This year medium oysters (available at all Oyster Factories) will be sold for R15 each and the popular jumbo oysters (available at Champagne and Oyster Deck) for R30 each at a dedicated station.
Gourmands are invited to experiment with their pairings and match the delicious oceanic flavour of the oysters with beers and wines, or the classic favourite, a crisp bubbly.
This year the festival has a new home.
“We are excited to be welcoming the Oyster Wine & Food Festival,” said Glenn Joseph, general manager of Montecasino.
“As the premier entertainment destination, we need to ensure that our offering always remains fresh and relevant.
“It is the first time Montecasino hosts an event of this nature as we have no doubt that it will be a great success and enjoyed by our patrons.
“We believe that with the support this year from Gauteng’s festival-goers, we will be South Africa’s premier Oyster Festival.
“Our collaboration with the Knysna suppliers ensures that no effort will be spared in making sure Gauteng is treated to the freshest oysters South Africa has to offer,” said Jeanne Visagie from CELO Creative Concepts and Consulting, joint-festival organiser.
The entrance fee is R125 per person which includes a wine tasting glass.
Tickets are available from montecasino.co.za.
Tickets are also available at the door.
Children under 18 years enter free of charge, but they must be accompanied by an adult.
It’s an event of gastronomic proportions, so don’t miss out!
Pretoria News