By Gina Robb

The third and last leg of the Good Food and Wine Show visited Gauteng from the 22-25 of September 2011 at The Dome in North Gate. Having already been to Cape Town and Durban, the show was anything but disappointing to any food or wine lover. With a celebrity chef line up and all the big franchise names in South African food, the show was the place to be.

 

Among the best of them was British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay who hosted a number of cooking shows in the chefs in action theatre. Ramsay also held book signings for all his fans to have the opportunity to meet him in person. It came with no surprise to everyone that the man famous for his cruel remarks and constant cursing in his shows such as Hell’s Kitchen on BBC Lifestyle, is actually an agreeable and commendable person, although a lot shorter in person.  

 

                                        

Alvin Quah the Masterchef Australia contestant was also turning heads at the show. Alvin too held various book signings, but Alvin’s mark on the show was judging the Can you cook like a master, competition where any amateur cook could try their hand at making a memorable dish that could see them winning R50 000. Quah was humorous and entertaining while addressing the crowd and helped the contestants feel at ease.

 

Alvin  Quah judging the can you cook like a master? competion

 

Masterchef Australia winner Adam Liaw was also pleasing the crowd over the weekend. Many flocked to the chefs in action theatre as well as to his book signings with hopes to catch a glimpse of the praised competition winner. Adam is regarded a mentor to the many South Africans hoping to enter Masterchef, coming soon to South Africa.

 

Roxanne Coetzee an International Hotel School student and Masterchef South Africahopeful with Adam Liaw

 

Along with the celebrity guests the show boasted a variety of different vendor stands which hosted a range of fine cuisine to more comforting home-style cooking available for all to try, and of course all these appetite stimulators could be followed by a good glass of wine from one of the many wine stalls.

 

The show did not only display a vast amount of food and wine but also home décor and materials for washing cooking utensils. There were also training academies such as the International Hotel School available to answer any questions. MTN also tried their hand at the show by mixing up different cocktails to complement the South African drinks present. One could also watch Culinary Team South Africa practice their skills while preparing for an international competition, or sit in on a Lindt chocolate pouring session or even watch professional barmen pour colourful shooters

 

If you think the show was only for the sophisticated pallets of the adult world, you would be wrong. There was plenty for the little ones to enjoy too. Sunbake flour had a cupcake cook along as well as the BBC Entertainment’s show CBeebies provided activities for the entire show. Not forgetting the youngest of the crop, baby health food stores were at the show too.

 

The Good Food and Wine Show delivered more than was expected, by catering to all age groups and providing the most well known names in the industry. The event has been announced as a massive success and will definitely return to South Africa in the future.