Délice has decided - Franschhoek is in

Founded in Lyon in 2007, the Délice Network currently has 21 members including Barcelona, Madrid, Montreal, Lausanne, Milan, Copenhagen, Chicago, Gothenburg, Birmingham, Helsinki and Brussels. Franschhoek collaborated with the Cape Winelands District Municipality in joining the Délice Network.

According to Jean-Michel Daclin, President of the Délice Network, "Gastronomy is an integral part of the heritage of our cities. It expresses a way of living, and is a key tool for our cities in terms of taste education, living quality and promotion of tourism. Our goal is to join together forces, talents and ideas, to exchange on the theme of gastronomy and good food."

Criteria for membership include an outstanding gastronomic culture, actions for citizens' taste education and good food consciousness, the use of gastronomy as a tool for tourism and promotion of the local area's food diversity.

All these elements are what Franschhoek has become famous for, especially through its festivals such as the Franschhoek Bastille Festival, The Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival, and Cook Franschhoek, as well as the Franschhoek Artisan Food Route, and Franschhoek Rond en Bond, which expose the visitor to diverse culinary experiences. The Franschhoek Artisan Food Route, in particular, exposes the visitor to a range of the finest olives, cheeses, salmon trout, charcuterie and artisanal breads South Africa has to offer. Internationally acclaimed chefs who include Le Quartier Français' Executive Chef, Margot Janse, and Reuben Riffel as well as Neil Jewel, the Charcuterie Guru are based in Franschhoek, adding further acclaim to the area. Franschhoek with Margot Janse serving on the judging panel represents this year's San Pellegrino Young Chef 2015 Awards.

Franschhoek aims to make a significant contribution to setting global food trends and breaking new ground in food tourism. The working sessions and international events of the Délice Network will aid the promotion of The Franschhoek Wine Valley in terms of food tourism by focusing on the five main topics of:

• Destination Marketing
  
• Education and Transmission of knowledge
  
• Local Products
  
• Health and Nutrition
  
• Excellence of Chefs

"To be associated with other leading international culinary capitals is a great honour," comments Franschhoek Wine Valley CEO, Jenny Prinsloo. "Home to some the most celebrated chefs our country has to offer, Franschhoek has earned its title over several years as South Africa's Culinary Capital."