Join the cheese adventure in Stellenbosch

On Friday night, the action will last until 10pm with an evening of live entertainment, picnics under the full moon and a leisurely browsing and tasting experience. Some of the highlights include the launch of Landbouweekblad food editor, Arina du Plessis' new book, Boerekos, a cheese carving competition and a wine and chocolate pairing by Rooiberg Cellar in the DStv Food Network Theatre. In the Checkers Theatre Nataniël and friends Jenny Morris, Brümilda van Rensburg, Herman Lensing and Shaleen Surtie-Richards are ready to share their culinary secrets with you.

Wine and chocolate - true cheese companions

In the Absa Mall Pinotage Theatre visitors will have the opportunity to taste South African Pinotage wines paired with exceptional dishes and guided by Beyers Truter, food consultant Heleen Meyer and singer Koos Kombuis. Kobus Mulder, well known cheese connoisseur, takes people on a journey to discover great artisanal cheeses in the BBC Lifestyle Centre. He will also launch his coffee table book on Cheeses of South Africa.

Although taste buds will rejoice at the magnitude of delicious products on offer - think olives, wine, decadently sweet deli products and brand new eats and treats such as Chocolate Caramel toffees with Parmesan - cheese undoubtedly still steals the limelight. Visitors can revel in the products of numerous artisans, some of whose speciality cheeses are mostly only available at small local food markets.

Emerging producers

With Absa's support, ten emerging producers will receive the opportunity to exhibit their products at the festival. Be sure to taste the products of cheese makers from the sponsored group who will showcase their cheese for the very first time at the Festival: De Böcke Goat Dairy (Malmesbury), Mooigelegen Boerenkaas (Heidelberg, Southern Cape), and Madame Fromage (Paarl). But also include these in your must-visit list: Camphill Farm Community (Hermanus), Montagu Cheese (Montagu), Laerskool Buffeljagsrivier (Buffeljagsrivier), Langbaken Karoo Cheese (Williston), Taaibosch Kaas (Heidelberg, Southern Cape), Anysbos (Botriver) and Mysthill Farm (Swellendam)

Salt of the earth, celeb action

Blind wine tastings might be old news, but blind cheese tastings are all the fashion! Hanri Marais from Simonsberg will fascinate you with remarkable cheese trivia and Diemersdal chef Nic van Wyk will delight your senses with his creative cooking abilities. Also, do not miss the action in the Pinotage Theatre: Chef Craig Cormack performs his magic with salts from all over the world paired with food and Fleur du Cap wine and the Durbanville Wine Valley will treat you to its finest Pinotage and local themed food, and more.

Celebrities on the South African food scene will pack the DStv Food Network Theatre with action. The group includes food editors such as Vicky de Beer (Rooi Rose), Hilary Biller (Sunday Times Food Weekly) and Arina du Plessis (Landbouweekblad), as well as Andrea du Plessis (VITAL Health Foods), food blogger Nina Timm and Alet Erasmus from Creative cuisine Pantry that will be accompanied by Randall Wicomb.

Kids festival too

Kids simply love a day at the festival. The intimate closeness with a variety of farm animals at the Milk Factory and the fun-filled DStv Kids Zone promise hours of entertainment, including karaoke, shows by illusionists, popcorn, face painting and much more. Their favourite Kidsco characters, Boo and Sonic, will be there to keep them busy.

Tickets, at R115 ticket, may be purchased from Computicket in all Shoprite, Checkers, Checkers Hyper and House & Home outlets (no tickets at the gates). Senior citizens pay R90 and children 13 years and younger enter free. Opening times for Friday is from 10am to 10pm, on Saturday from 10am to 6pm and Sunday from 10am to 5pm. Wine tasting glasses will be on sale at R15 at the gates.

For more information, go to www.cheesefestival.co.za.