‘Goosebump stuff’ for Bathurst
THE Eastern Cape’s only specialist culinary cook-off festival will take place this weekend in Bathurst after the community rallied together to save the event.
Now in its third year, the Bathurst Country Affair (BCA) provides a vital economic boost to the 1820 Settler village.
Organiser Tanya Schenk yesterday said locals had raised thousands this year to ensure the event went ahead after news spread that it would no longer happen because sponsorship could not be found.
“The community has raised more than R24 000 to make this event happen, it’s really goosebump stuff.”
Besides raising money to save the popular annual event, the community also rallied together to volunteer their time to ensure it ran smoothly.
She said 40 locals had volunteered their time and were getting “no payment, just love” for their efforts.
According to Schenk, the BCA had become a large contributor to the village’s out-of-season survival by boosting local business, as well as providing temporary employment before, during and after the event.
More than 6 000 people are expected to descend on the area each day and three of the six chefs featured on the menu are already fully booked.
The culinary cook-off has been scheduled over lunch and dinner at six historic locations, including the legendary Pig and Whistle Hotel – the oldest licensed pub in South Africa – as well as in restored Settler homes.
The event is the only one of its kind in the province.
“This year we have limited the exhibitors, they are by invitation only – we are very strict about who sells at the event.”
Schenk said accommodation in the village has been fully booked for some time.
Sunshine Coast Tourism manager Sandy Birch yesterday said the annual event had evolved into something tourists looked forward to.
“The indirect positive spin-off directly affects not only Bathurst, but Port Alfred, Kenton and Bushman’s River.”
Although the event battled to get a sponsor to host it, they managed to secure a R40 000 prize of a weekend away at a luxury bush lodge, including a hunting package, for four.
The prize will be drawn on Sunday and only people who visit more outlying venues in the area, qualify.
“Bathurst is known as the centre of the universe and we have come up with a passport that gets stamped when you visit outlying areas.”
Billed as a family event, attractions include: wine-tastings, the culinary challenge, town criers, live music, a pet show, pineapple throwing competition, historical tours and beauty pageants. —