Johannesburg - Locals were treated to free brownies, cream-cheese wraps and lollipops at Cresta Mall in Randburg on Wednesday.
The only catch was, they were all prepared using a lot of bugs. Plain roasted buffalo worms, roasted crickets and crunchy locusts were some of the things on the menu at Rentokil’s pop-up pestaurant.
Crowds gathered around to gawk and squirm at the beautifully prepared snacks that included dry roasted bugs such as mealworms and locusts; some were even brave enough to tuck in.
Those worried about how safe it would be to eat the bugs usually found in filth were reassured by Rentokil spokeswoman Nathalie Leblond that the bugs they used were bred for humans to eat.
“Most people are interested and a bit squeamish to start with, but once they have some, most say it tastes like stale wheat biscuits or popcorn. These bugs are specifically bred for human consumption, so they eat what humans eat,” Leblond said.
She said the aim of the pestaurant was to raise awareness around the health benefits of eating insects. Twelve other countries are also taking part in the event.
When The Star asked about the irony of Rentokil, a pest control company, endorsing the idea of people eating bugs, Leblond laughed and said: “One person’s pest is another person’s protein.”
Children at the stall were curious and a little cautious until one boy asked to take a scorpion lollipop for show-and-tell at his school.
“This will also be a great prank,” he said, laughing mischievously.
Mpumi Nombebe seemed unfazed by the idea and munched away happily.
“I can’t taste the worms. It’s very nice. I’m actually going to have another brownie. The mealworms taste like cashews,” she said.
Leblond said if anyone was interested in eating like this every day, they would have to find someone certified to breed bugs for consumption.
“The ones we used were shipped here. I don’t know where you’d find them locally.”
The Star