Read all about it. Here.

If you love eating out in style and fancy sampling the fare of 15 of Johannesburg’s top restaurants, get along to Taste of Joburg from the 9th-12th October at the fabulous Montecasino Outdoor Event Venue.  The festival, which promises to be the most exciting food and drink event this year, has rounded up some of the cities’ most talented chefs who will personally prepare and serve up starter sized portions of their trend-setting signature dishes.

The Taste Festivals are an international concept celebrating food and drink, now with a local flavour as well as the best of foreign flavours.  It’s a food and drink celebration with a difference: Imagine a selection of Joburg’s finest local produce, (available to be sampled and purchased at the show), a beautiful environment and the city’s most prestigious restaurants, all enjoyed against a backdrop of live music and entertainment.  In addition, some of the world’s premium drink brands will be brought to life at Taste of Joburg, in bespoke relaxation areas within the festival – chill-out zones that let you escape the hustle and bustle of the show to take a bit of a breather. Visitors will also have the chance to improve their culinary skills, as the chefs provide helpful hints and tips for eating and drinking during the Woolworths Taste Chefs Theatre.

Justine Drake, Taste Festival Director, comments, 'Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Local and everything in between; Taste of Joburg promises to be a global gourmet feast!'

A few of the show’s elements broken down for you:

The Woolworths Taste Chef’s Theatre:
A unique opportunity to see Joburg’s top chefs showcased and in action on stage, featuring demos, culinary challenges, entertaining tutorials and enlightening Q & A sessions.

The “Beer Experience”: Where the ‘thirstbuds’ can be quenched in the comfortable and stylish surrounds of the outdoor “Beer Experience” area.

The Wine Route:
Leading wine experts and connoisseurs will host the Taste of Joburg’s Wine Route, which will feature a daily programme of wine tastings, tutorials and advice on wine and food pairing.

Background:
Taste of London was launched by Brand Events in the summer of 2004 and has become the premier restaurant event in the UK and Ireland, with festivals in London, Birmingham, Bath, Dublin and Edinburgh. The Taste festivals internationally have been created in such a way that they reflect the spirit and culture of the host city and have been described as “The Chelsea Flower Show of Food”.  Their refined mood and painstaking choice of venue lies at the heart of their unique appeal. Taste of Joburg was held in September 2007.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

2008 Participating restaurants:

• Bukhara
• Chai - Yo Thai Restaurant
• Fino Bar & Restaurant
• La Cucina di Ciro
• Prosopa
• Ristorante Ritrovo
• roots @ Forum Homini
• Saxon
• Sel et Poivre
• Sophiatown Bar Lounge
• soulsa
• The Dining Room at The Grace
• The Pot Kiln in Africa
• Yamato Japanese Restaurant
• Yum Nostalgia
  

Festival Times:

• Thurs 9th October ’08: 18h30 - 22h30
• Fri 10th October ’08: 13h00 - 17h00; 18h30 - 22h30
• Sat 11th October ’08: 13h00 - 17h00; 18h30 - 22h30
• Sun 12th October ’08: 12h00 - 17h00
  

Tickets:
There are a limited amount of tickets available and bookings are essential, these can be done through Computicket on 083 915 8000 or www.computicket.com. Entrance is free for children under 12.

• R80 Standard – Entrance only, includes a welcome drink
• R170 Premium – Including R100 worth of Taste of Joburg CROWNS and a welcome drink
• R795 per person for Corporate Hospitality tickets
  

Group Discounts are available on premium tickets:

• 10-19 tickets - R160 per ticket (includes R100 worth of Crowns)
• 15% on 20 or more tickets - R150 per ticket (includes R100 worth of Crowns)
  

Taste of Joburg CROWNS – How they work:
CROWNS, the festival’s currency, can be bought along with festival tickets beforehand or on the day. Guests can use them to pay for sample dishes from restaurants or drinks from exhibitors and bars. Each Taste of Joburg CROWN is worth R5 and prices range from 4 to 8 CROWNS per dish. Change is offered in CROWNS only.