Upcoming Events in and around Cape Town - November 2016

2-6 Nov - The Constantia Gift Fair

A great lifestyle event, The Constantia Gift Fair is Pinterest personified, full of inspirational ideas and hand-picked innovative products. Beautiful home and garden accessories, stunning fashion items, and gorgeous must-have gifts.
The deli section is full to the brim with delicious and exotic food-gifts. Taste and enjoy superb food and drink, soak up the atmosphere, let your children have a ball in the kiddies play area and enjoy a sensational shopping experience with friends and family.

The Constantia Gift Fair will take place from the 2nd till the 6th of November
R 30 Entrance Fee for Adults, Children are free of charge

Great Gift Stalls, at the Fair. Image Courtesy of The Constantia Gift Fair

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3 Nov - Lanzerac's Winemakers Dinner

Fine wines and delicious food creations to be enjoyed at the next Lanzerac Winemaker Food & Wine Pairing Dinner taking place on Thursday, 3rd November. Join Lanzerac Cellar Master Wynand Lategan and Executive Chef Stephen Fraser for a culinary feast, your experience will include include canapés, a world-class three course meal, and dishes carefully paired with no less than 10 Lanzerac wines.
 
Delicious canapés, such as Whipped Camembert Mousse on a Walnut Scones with Glazed Figs, and Smoked Salmon Butter filled Squid Ink Profiteroles to get the tastebuds tingling.
 
For starters Chef Stephen will tickle your taste buds with Sesame Seared Yellowfin Tuna paired with the recently released 2016 Lanzerac Sauvignon Blanc, gold medalist Chardonnay and the Mrs. English from the estate’s ultra-premium Heritage range of wines. A double cutlet of Boland Lamb served with a Beetroot Fondant, Goats’ Cheese, Split Beans and Bone Marrow awaits you for the main course. The selection of wines to accompany the lamb includes the Lanzerac Merlot, trophy winning Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon and the immensely appetizing Le Général red blend.
 
I have a separate stomach for dessert, which is great news because a mouthwatering deconstructed Lemon Meringue served with Balsamic Marinated Strawberries, Mint Yoghurt spheres and Sesame glass. This decadent dessert will be served with the Lanzerac MCC Brut.

The cost of R495 per person includes the dinner and all wines served. Space is limited to only 30 guests and booking is essential. For bookings and queries contact Zelda Furstenburg on [email protected] or 021 886 5641.

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5 Nov - Franschhoek Craft Festival

The Definition of Craft: An activity involving skill in making things by hand; denoting or relating to food or drink made in a traditional or non-mechanised way by an individual or a small company.
 
It's the inaugural Franschhoek Craft Festival this summer. This one-of-a-kind festival takes place at Môreson on 5 November 2016 between 11am and 5pm.
 
Experience the magic first-hand of a selection of specially curated, handcrafted food and drink as well as specialised and limited edition pieces, including art, jewellery and luxury leather goods.  
 
You’ll be in good hands with plenty of local wines, Cap Classique, craft brews and small batch spirits. Môreson’s farm restaurant, Bread & Wine will be on-hand with their famed, artisan charcuterie, breads, cheeses, pastries, chocolates and so much more.
 
GM of Môreson, Nikki Friedman says: “This will be hands-down the best showcase of all South Africa’s local craft-producers. I’m excited not because people are making craft goods, but that there are doing them so fabulously. Come see for yourself.”
 
Tickets, which include entry and tastings of the wines on show, cost R180 per person and can be booked directly via www.webtickets.co.za.

All sorts of fun to be had, for the whole family. Image property of Franschhoek Craft Festival

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5 Nov - Paul René Bubbly Festival

Beauty, simplicity and elegance take centre stage at the inception of the very first Paul René Bubbly Festival taking place on Saturday 5 November.

Take a journey to the stunning Robertson Wine Valley in Spring to discover the home of Paul René at the Wonderfontein Wine Estate. Family and friends will experience the heart and soul of authentic hand crafted Paul René Brut and Brut Rosé. Gin combinations from our festival partners Hope on Hopkins will also delight guests and be entertained during the cocktail hour where the two brands will come together to create a new found synergy. The highlight of the day will be the launch of the first ever Paul René Magnum range, and one lucky guest will win a bottle to take home.

Foodies will enjoy delicious Saldana Bay oysters, Norwegian Salmon and other gourmet treats which will be on sale throughout the day. Local coffee roaster Strictly Coffee will also be selling coffee at this prestigious event.

Challenge a friend to a game of Boules or Croquet or go for a spin in a motorbike sidecar around the farm. Enjoy the atmosphere whilst listening to live folk music. Kids activities will keep the young ones occupied.

You can taste the bubbles! Image provided by Hot Oven Marketing

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16 Nov - Stellenbosch Street Soireé

Enjoy the fruit of the vines and gourmet cuisine during the delightful, laid-back summer months in the Cape Winelands when the Stellenbosch Street Soirees explode onto the calendar on a bimonthly basis until March 2017. The first event is scheduled for Wednesday, 16 November 2016. Presented by Stellenbosch Wine Routes, this pop-up wine and food tasting event transforms the lower part of the historic town’s Drosdty Street (just off Church Street) into a culinary haven for connoisseurs and students alike.

Participating restaurants entice visitors to sample their unique dishes at street stalls (who doesn't love street food), whilst wine farms along the country’s oldest and foremost wine route offer delicious vintages to make Hump Day (Wednesday) great. Live music and entertainment is scheduled to create that jovial mood as the sun settles over the town’s oak-lined streets.

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20 Nov - Kirstenbosch Summer Concerts

The Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts 2016/17 lineup has just been announced, with concerts kicking off in November. As usual, the magnificent gardens provide the backdrop for these open-air gigs – the perfect place to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon. It’s also a fantastic picnic location, so bring along a blanket and a hamper of goodies.

Kicking off with Jimmy Nevis on the 20th November
Tickets cost R165 for adults and R135 for kids

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25-27 Nov - Cape Town Festival of Beer

The largest festival of beer in the Southern Hemisphere, is just around the corner! The Festival is set for the 25th, 26th and 27th of November at Hamilton’s Rugby Club in Green Point, Cape Town (next to the V & A Waterfront). This year’s event is bringing even more beer to the table and raising the 'bar'...
Cape Town Festival of Beer is a celebration of brewing heritage and craft both locally and from around the world. Featuring over 200 beers; this is the premier celebration of all things beer and will prove to be the biggest yet.
The Festival is South Africa’s largest annual gathering of beer enthusiasts, connoisseurs and those just wanting to learn more about beer. The weekend promises great entertainment including a variety of brewers, food stalls, music, live rugby and this happy event is a highlight on the Cape Town social calendar. 
Expect over 60 breweries - both international and local - with limited edition beers brewed just for the Festival. Also, learn more about the appreciation of artisanal beer and perfect food choices to pair with each brew.
This year the Cape Town Festival of Beer will be bringing you guided beer tours with experts to ensure you get the most out of your experience. Let your guide take you around while you meet the brewers and sample a variety of beers, watch home brewing demonstrations and participate in blind tastings. And if that’s not enough there will also be a beer judging competition, beer merchandise for sale, lucky draws, and raffles.
Rugby fans, don’t miss out on any action and watch the rugby live on the Saturday on big screens at the Festival! Tables can be booked at [email protected]

Taking place at Hamilton’s Rugby Club, Green Point on the 25-27 November 2016