Big Cheese gets in ahead of the slabs

The annual George Cheese Festival at the Outeniqua Primary School next weekend, 31 July - 2 August 2009, is expected to attract between 10000 and 12000 visitors, said marketing manager Anna-Lize Pretorius.

“The festival is to raise money for the school but also to give back to charities,” she said.

“The linked sporting events and the cheese festival sponsors will be giving to charity and this coming Sunday we'll have a concert in which people will be asked to bring blankets for the less fortunate.”

The head of the Eden School of Culinary Art in George, chef Francois Ferreira, will host discussions with celebrity chefs, including Cape Town‘s David Grier, who will be launching his book, Hope and Thyme, about his inspirational run around the coast of Africa last year to raise funds for Operation Smile.

Well-known chefs will showcase their culinary skills in the Foodworx Theatre. The Tour de Cheese event, featuring South Africa‘s only international cheese judge, Kobus Mulder, will pair wine and cheese.

There will also be fashion shows, wine and brandy tastings and cocktail bars, and the festival has linked with the 10km South Western Districts road race, a mountain bike challenge and a golf tournament.

Last year‘s cheese festival attracted about 10000 visitors, a massive growth since its humble beginnings six years ago as a one-day school fundraiser.

For those with a sweet tooth, the annual chocolate festival in aid of the Family and Marriage Association of SA takes place at the Garden Route Mall on 26 September.

“Anything chocolate-related will be on sale and all the exhibitors will have to offer the public a taste test of their wares,” organiser Nicolette Pretorius said.

The festival, featuring performances by local artists, will include an “eat as fast as you can” contest.

For more information, see: www.georgecheesefestival.co.za

Source: The Herald

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