Good times flow at food and wine pairing launch
Estate manager shares fermentation lore
EGGS named Florentine and Benedict were behind the animated conversation at Tsogo Sun’s Grill Jacana on Tuesday night.
Hosted by the Durban beachfront hotel’s restaurant in conjunction with Paarl wine estate Glen Carlou, the gathering was the inaugural wine and food pairing evening.
Restaurant manager Duncan Sutherland’s coupling of an impressive menu with wine estate general manager Johan Erasmus’s selection of wines resulted in an evening of gastronomic delight.
Erasmus shared fermentation techniques with the select group of diners, who included national toy mogul Mo Mia and trade union spokesman Sharlene Packree.
One of these techniques is the use of concrete, 1 600-litre egg structures for Glen Carlou’s unwooded chardonnay (which, paired with the mussel starter, was sublime). The fact that the estate’s first two eggs were christened Florentine and Benedict during a staff competition paved the way for a delightfully funny and enjoyable evening. Or was it the wine?
Either way, it was a great night. THE following evening, Durban property businessman Sanky Pillay — who has strong links with the ANC — launched his latest venture at a highspirited gathering of event and conference organisers.
The Stamford is a spacious open-plan venue in the middle of the Greyville commercial area. It will be rented to individuals, corporations or organisations.
The formalities were brief — a short lighthearted welcome and address by Pillay, who outlined the rationale behind opening the venue. This included telling guests that their toilet doors were not bulletproof (in reference to the Oscar Pistorius trial).
This left the guests to enjoy the snacks and open bar while a folksy singer created some background music.