Cape Town - Most people would freak out and call the waiter if they ever saw creepy crawlies in a restaurant.
Bur Rentokil pest control company will host a “pestaurant” at the annual Good Food and Wine Show. The show, the Cape Town International Convention Centre, ends on Sunday June 1.
The pestaurant will be open for business on Saturday, and if you have the heart and stomach for it, you could try savoury treats like cricket crostini, crispy mealworms and roasted locust canapés. For those with a sweeter tooth, how about chocolate-covered ants and scorpion lollipops?
“We have seen success at all sizes of pestaurant events, from a stand in a limited space at a customer venue, right through to the mass London event and we expect more than just curiosity at the Cape Town Good Food and Wine Show,” says Nathalie Leblond, Rentokil’s spokeswoman.
Leblond says that more than 2 billion people reportedly supplement their diets with insects, which are high in protein, B vitamins, iron and zinc. Most insects have a nutty taste, say those who eat them.
For visitors who are less daring, there are plenty of other options at the event this weekend.
The show boasts top chefs who will have book signing, and interactive cooking activities for the whole family.
The Lion’s Den is one of the top attractions, providing a platform for local innovation. Each innovator will have 20 minutes to present their product and convince the audience why they are worthy of winning. The winner will receive a business start-up prize worth R500 000.
The tasting hub offers pairings of cheeses with wine or craft beer.
The rest of the event will be used to showcase food trucks, coffee theatre and nutrition advice.
Tickets can be bought via Computicket or at the door.
It costs R125 for adults and R50 for children under 12, and it is free for children younger than 3. The show opens at 10am and ends at 9pm daily.
On Sunday it ends at 6pm.
Cape Argus