South Africa’s mixed agricultural event, the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show, is back with a bang and promises to be a jam-packed show.
The Royal Show’s general manager, Terry Strachan, said whether it’s to see the cattle competitions, medieval battles or show-jumping events, the showgrounds would be full of action.
And speaking of exciting things, visitors to the show can expect nothing less than a prized palate-pleasing festival of food and drink from The Mercury Festival of Fine Living Hall this year. From boutique breweries and gourmet goodies, to cheese makers and chocolatiers.
Bunny chows can be found at Dolly’s Curry Den.
At The Mercury Festival of Fine Living, passionate foodies can experience culinary excellence and innovation, opportunities to sample and purchase the products on offer, and a cooking demonstration by celebrity chefs Sherwyn Weaich, Nti, Ishay Govender and Nompumelelo Mqwebu, who will be bringing their favourite recipes and gourmet styles to the chopping board.
For chocolate lovers, local chocolate makers Nova will be showcasing their delicious delights. Nova will be bringing their signature sugar-free goodies.
Nova’s chocolatier extraordinaire, Dylan Jonsson, said they were calling all chocolate devotees to celebrate the joy of these heavenly treats that we all know and love.
“The health benefits and feel-good qualities of cocoa tend to be underestimated and chocolate is often labelled as unhealthy - a trend we aim to change. Sugar seekers will also enjoy our delicately flavoured healthy treats, there is no compromise on quality or taste,” said Jonsson.
To sweeten your day even more there will be other sugary treats from Suiker Bekkie and Mari’s Fudge and Brittle.
There are a variety of coffee stalls this year.
If you are a coffee fan you can get your caffeine fix at The Barn Owl Coffee where caffeinated creations will
be served. Founder Ryan Solomon said tha a priority for this hot-and-happening beverage company is their commitment to coffee conservation.
“From the discerning espresso drinker to the latte lovers, our innovative baristas have come up with a menu that caters for all tastes. As a way to fight the waste in the takeaway coffee industry, our cups and lids are 100% biodegradable and our straws are up-cycled reeds.
“Climate change is threatening coffee crops in virtually every major coffee producing region of the world,” said Solomon.
Apart from The Barn Owl Coffee, you can also put in your caffeine order at Terbodore Coffee, Jacksonville Coffee and The Coffee Coach, or at the Mobile Coffee Café for a creamy cappuccino or aromatic Americano. But it doesn’t stop there; a more exciting royal culinary adventure still awaits fellow foodies at The Mercury Festival of Fine Living Hall.
If you are craving a bunny or breyani you can stop by Dolly’s Curry Den for your fix. Sample a traditional yoghurt marinade dish from Tandoori Chicken or choose your own ingredients to build a custom burger. For a savoury snack try a pie from Ma Bakers or a seafood favourite like calamari from Prawn Star.
For those with a sweet tooth, there will be an array of tempting treats from Jingels frozen yoghurt, Freddo’s ice cream and Sticky Finger Koeksisters. For farm-fresh food there will be deli stalls offering an array of palate pleasers all produced with the finest and freshest of local ingredients.
Show-goers can pair handmade cheese from La Petite with a delicious range of marinated olives from Romecsco.
Victoria Polish Meats and the International Deli will also be offering a buffet bonanza of traditional fare to suit any occasion.
The show runs until Sunday, June 3. Tickets for adults (12 years and older are R65, junior (under 12s) and pensioners (60 years and older with ID) are R45.
Public parking will be charged at R20.
You can buy tickets online at www.royalshow.co.za