The SA Cheese Festival has reacted with joy to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that outdoor venues may now be 50% full and encourages cheese and wine lovers to start celebrating this right away. Festival enthusiasts will immediately benefit from buying a ticket at a reduced price.
“The President has given us a reason to celebrate, so now people can seize it,” says Johan Ehlers, CEO of Agri-Expo, the organiser of the award-winning SA Cheese Festival since 2002. “We will welcome these extra festival goers with open arms, and we are grateful that we can offer this extraordinary experience at a more affordable price.”
SIMILAR, BUT ADVENTUROUSLY DIFFERENT
The SA Cheese Festival innovates this year by popping up over two weekends at two different destinations, on the West Coast and in the Winelands: Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April at Groote Post outside Darling on the West Coast, and Saturday 30 April, Sunday 1 May, and Monday 2 May at Sandringham outside Stellenbosch.
Tickets cost R290 p.p. per day. The festival times are from 10:00 to 18:00 daily.
According to Ehlers, they can now increase the capacity of visitors at Sandringham and add an extra festival day on the Workers’ Day holiday: “We originally planned the festival with regulations as it was in place, but we are constantly adjusting our offering to accommodate visitors and exhibitors.”
Ehlers says guests can expect the same unique experience of quality that the SA Cheese Festival has become famous for over two decades. “Everyone knows Sandringham Estate as the home of the SA Cheese Festival, whilst Groote Post offers an exceptional opportunity to come and enjoy country hospitality on the amazing Pentz family’s historic 18th century farm.”
DISCOVER A FESTIVAL OF POP-UP EXPERIENCES AT THE SA CHEESE FESTIVAL
The SA Cheese Festival offers a real value for money experience – in fact, your entrance ticket buys you a whole feast of pop-up experiences:
- ‘Cheese it and enjoy it’: The heart of the SA Cheese Festival remains the unique experience of being able to taste and buy the largest variety of cheeses – old favourites as well as innovative new ones.
- ‘WineFest, BeerFest, Gin’OClock’: Come and experience a curated collection of award-winning wines, craft beers and gin – after all, your entry fee includes an exclusive stemless SA Cheese Festival wine glass.
- ‘Taste it first’: Many exhibitors use the SA Cheese Festival as a platform to introduce new products and test the market – discover it here before it even appears on store shelves!
- ‘Standard Bank Travel & Taste’: Hosted by well-known celebrity chefs and wine connoisseurs, this is where cheese marries wine, beer, and every new trend! Come discover, listen, and taste at no extra cost. Every day at 13:00, chef Tiaan Langenegger will give a sneak peek of his brand new Tiaan Proe television programme together with Ladismith Cheese (joined by his actor friend Neels van Jaarsveld on 23 April and 1 May). Chef Isabella Niehaus, who won an award for her cookbook Duinhuis in Paris last year, brings along her famous smoked snoek cheesecake. Come and learn more about wine pairing with experts from the Chenin Blanc Association, Groote Post winemaker Lukas Wentzel, as well as everyone’s SA Cheese Festival favourite, the original celeb chef Jenny Morris.
- ‘#SupportSmallCheesemakers’: Meet cheese entrepreneurs who, despite many challenges, come from all over to introduce their unique handmade cheeses to cheese lovers, a project made possible in partnership with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
- ‘Cape Made: Taste the Alternatives’: Alternative products fresh from the farm such as olives, tapenades, berries, mushrooms, and even buchu water and hydroponic herbs … with bargains directly from producers thanks to a partnership with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture.
- ‘Artisanal art’: Support artisanal makers as you learn to appreciate new tasting experiences – from kudu salami to gin with honey, almond, strawberry, or chai.
- ‘The Ladismith Cheese Carving Competition’: A daily highlight – enter for free at the festival (space is limited). Show your creativity, carve a cheese, and win big prizes!
- ‘The Hollard Band Stand’: Come and enjoy your purchases to the beat of top artists – such as Die Heuwels Fantasties, Francois van Coke, Watershed, Ard Matthews, Kurt Darren, the rock band Flat Stanley’s first performance in years, the new favourite Will Linley, plus many local musicians throughout the day.
- ‘The Afgri Feeds Milk Factory’: Visit the friendly cows and goats at the Milk Factory and learn more about these pedigree dairy animals, the start and the most important part of the production line in the art of cheese making. A well-known and enjoyable experience at the annual SA Cheese Festival!
- ‘Foodies #GoingPlaces’: Artisanal food stands serve mouth-watering food with just more cheese!
- ‘Be safe’: The SA Cheese Festival promotes the responsible use of alcohol. Make use of shuttle services and taxis for a party full of peace of mind.
- ‘Make it a weekend celebration’: Sandringham is conveniently located next to the N1, Stellenbosch turn-off (exit 39), between Cape Town and Paarl. Groote Post is located between Darling and Yzerfontein. Contact www.yzerfonteinaccommodation.co.za or www.visitstellenbosch.org.
- ‘Be responsible’: A Covid-19 access policy of proof of vaccination, or a negative test result will apply.
BUY TICKETS HERE
Tickets are available at Webtickets (bit.ly/sacheesefest-popuppicnics) and Pick n Pay. No tickets will be sold at the gates. Only a limited number of tickets are available.
The 2022 SA Cheese Festival is supported by platinum partners, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture and Standard Bank, as well as other partners.
For more information, visit www.cheesefestival.co.za, Facebook @SACheeseFestival or Instagram @sacheesefest, or contact Agri-Expo at tel 021 975 4440 or admin@agriexpo.co.za.
Sjaan is a food stylist and recipe developer for Food & Home. She aims to create mouth-watering images and exciting How To videos on our Instagram, hoping to inspire people to try new recipes and have fun in the kitchen.
