Convivium, a showcase of food, chefs and producers in the most primal way possible
South Africa, Cape Town; CONVIVIUM, a food collaboration between South Africa’s top chefs – and brainchild of Wesley Randles and Andy Fenner – takes place in the Swartland again this October.
Fenner explains that “Convivium is an event that aims to showcase food, chefs and producers in the most primal way possible by closing the gap between the end product (a meal) and the starting point (the earth and the animal). With Kalmoesfontein (a wine farm near Malmesbury) as a venue, it allows us to do this by providing an unpretentious connection to the sand and soil that we have forgotten. Away from the city, away from the kitchens and away from the restrictions of our day jobs.”
The event is based on the idea of paying it forward, using knowledge, inspiration and collaboration as a way of doing so. It is strictly non-profit and all money generated through ticket sales will be used either for charitable donations or for meaningful contributions to the improvement of the local industry. Randles elaborates by adding “At its core, Convivium wants to bring passionate people together, in an effort to make real, measurable changes to the food and wine community in South Africa.”
Convivium, a two day affair, will take place on the 22nd and 23rd of October 2016. Day 1 will be by invitation only, with 50 industry insiders being invited to attend. The application is a simple process — simply drop the organisers a mail saying why you feel you should be part of the movement. If you are a hungry, ambitious chef, if you are considering a career in food, if you are looking for inspiration then this is your chance.
Day 1 will include talks from the likes of Margot Janse (Le Quartier Français), Roushanna Gray (Veld and Sea), Rob Cowles and Jono le Feuvre (Rosetta), Pavs Pillay (SASSI), Ross Symons (White on Rice), Pieter and Koot Prinsloo (Daybreaker Beef), Adi Badenhorst (Badenhorst Wines), Eben Sadie (Sadie Family Wines) and Kurt Ackermann (Oranjezicht City Farm).
Day 1 guests will be treated to breakfast prepared by The General Store’s Chef, Colette Robert. Lunch will be served by Wes Randles from Shortmarket Club, as well as Jess Grant from The Table. Hoghouse’s PJ Vadas and ASH’s Ash Heeger will sort out dinner.
Application emails can be sent to [email protected] and tickets cost R400.
Day 2 of Convivium will see a feast for 100 people being prepared, using donated produce from various suppliers. There will also be several interactive stations set up, showcasing producers that have been curated by the organisers. Fenner describes these producers as “the heroes of the industry”, with Randles adding that “the event gives guests the chance to engage with real, pure food artisans.”
The lunch sees the country’s top chefs and winemakers cooking side by side. The atmosphere is one of collaboration, with various techniques on offer. The end result will be a massive table loaded with various dishes, presented by the chefs as they draw inspiration from the seasons and the surroundings.
The chef list will include PJ Vadas, Ash Heeger, Wesley Randles, Jason Lilley, Wynand Van Rooyen, Kirby Auret, Franck Dangeruex, Karen Dudley and Angelo Scirocco. Winemakers featured are Thinus FRAM Kruger, Callie Proseleinberg Louw, Ryan Silvervis Mostert, Adi Badenhorst, Adam Marvelous Mason & Sebastian Beaumont.
The cost for this lunch will be R950 per person and there will be a shuttle service available between Cape Town City Centre and Kalmoesfontein at an additional cost. Tickets for the lunch are available via Quicket. The shuttle can be booked by emailing [email protected] with the subject line Convivium 2016.
Follow the official hashtag #convivium2016 on Twitter and Instagram for regular updates on the programme and chefs. You can also visit our website at www.conviviumtable.co.za
Contact [email protected] for event details and media enquiries.
For press assistance contact Ian or Lise Manley of Manley Communications on 0861 MANLEY (626 539), email to [email protected], or visit the Press Room of Manley Communications at www.manleycommunications.co.za
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