sa culinary

Culinary Tours in South Africa

Culinary tours to South Africa traditionally include a visit to Cape Townand a safari, but the focus will usually be on an area just outside of Cape Town -- the Winelands. Cape Town itself rivals Paris, London and New York for its variety of first-class restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world. But the Winelands are unique because of the combination of fine-dining establishments as well as excellent wineries. Combine this with a stunning backdrop of mountains shadowing over lush gardens in historic wine estates, and you're in foodie heaven.

Many of the established wine estates date back to the early Dutch and French settlers in the mid 17th Century. The buildings have been maintained and turned into very fine hotels and restaurants. A few of the best examples include the Constantia Uitsig Country Estate which is home to two of the finest award-wining restaurants in this area; the Constantia Uitsig and La Colombe.

Franschhoek is a small town in the heart of the Winelands settled by French Huguenots in 1688. It is considered the gourmet capital of South Africa. The little main street is simply lined with fantastic restaurants. Stay at Le Quartier Francais and feast at its restaurants and tasting room.

Before you jump into the fine-dining arena, you should also enjoy Cape Malay cuisine. Descendants of original slaves, as well as free citizens, the Malay community has a rich heritage and a unique cuisine. Rich curries and stews are flavored with aromatic spices, and there is a tradition of blending meats with sweet accompaniments. For gourmet Cape Malay food try the Cape Malay Restaurant at the Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia. Otherwise walk around the Bo Kaap area in Cape Town and pop into any local eatery for the "real thing". One of my favorite dishes is Bobotie, which has its roots in Malay cooking. The best tour to take would be Andulela's Cape Malay Cooking Safari.

If you're traveling around the Winelands do stop into one of the many organic markets that are cropping up in the area. The Afrikaner community has really stepped up activity at these markets, the food is fresh, authentic and absolutely delicious. Try some game biltong while your there.

South Africans are enthusiastic meat eaters (if they can afford it) and you can take the opportunity to learn how to cook ostrich, venison and even crocodile. Figuring out what part of a crocodile is best suited to roasting over an open fire is knowledge you just can't pick up anywhere else!

Samp and Souffle has an excellent tour that will accommodate lots of bush cooking with a splendid safari.

Sample Culinary Tours to South Africa

Andulela's Township Cooking Tour offers a taste of African cuisine as well as a look into Cape Town's vibrant township communities.
Infohub has big list of food and wine tours to South Africa

If you can't make a culinary tour then keep an eye out for some of the many food and wine festivals held around the country.

For information about South Africa's top restaurants, where to dine, restaurant ratings and more,click here.

You can also visit the Institute of Culinary Arts of South Africa and find out where all these fabulous chefs have trained.

By Anouk Zijlm

SUN INTERNATIONAL HOTELS INTRODUCES CULINARY TRAVEL PROGRAMS TO SOUTHERN AFRICA WITH LEADING US TOUR OPERATORS

Photo: Taken at the James Beard event in NY. L-R: Johannes Mokae, Sous Chef at The Palace of The Lost City, Lorenzo Giani, General Manager Sun International Americas, Grant Cullingworth, Executive Chef and Earl King, Pastry Chef at the Table Bay Hotel

Sun International Hotels, Southern Africa's premier luxury hotel company, has joined forces with leading US-based tour operators to intro duce a series of gourmet travel programs to Southern Africa. Programs ranging from four- to fifteen-days in length feature three of the company's luxury hotels, including the world renowned Palace of the Lost City in Sun City, the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, South Africa and the new Royal Livingstone Hotel located steps from the breathtaking Victoria Falls in Livingstone, Zambia.

Food and wine aficionados will be treated to the award-winning cuisine of Sun International's acclaimed chefs; including Grant Cullingworth, Executive Chef and Earl King, Pastry Chef at the Table Bay Hotel and Johannes Mokae, Sous Chef at The Palace of The Lost City. The chefs recently held a highly successful New York City culinary tour featuring cooking demonstrations and tasting at William Sonoma and a special five-course dinner event, showcasing South Africa's eclectic cuisine, at the James Beard House.

"We are excited to introduce these new culinary tours to our hotels and offer travelers an opportunity to savor the creative cuisine of our top rated chefs. Combined with our luxury accommodations, excellent service and truly exceptional locations, these programs deliver a complete Sun International experience," said Lorenzo Giani, Sun International General Manager, Americas.

Culinary travel programs, featuring Sun International hotels, departing throughout 2004 and 2005, include:

African Travel: "South African Wine, Wildlife & Culinary Impressions" &endash; The tour begins in Cape Town with three-nights at the Table Bay Hotel in luxury accommodations where guests are greeted with a bottle of South African champagne and beautiful views of the ocean and famous Table Mountain. This fourteen-days tour starts from $6,520 per person, sharing a twin room (land only). For more information contact: www.africantravelinc.com or 800-421-8907.

Big Five Tours & Expeditions: "Cape Gourmet Tour" &endash; Starting at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, the tour features three-nights luxury accommodations in a room overlooking either Table Mountain or the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront and ocean. On the first night, guests will enjoy a wine talk followed by wine tasting and dinner. Ten-days program from $4,645 per person based on double occupancy. For more information contact: www.bigfive.com or 1-800-BIG-FIVE (800-244-3483).

Classic Encounters: "Food & Wine Tour" &endash; The trip begins with a two-nights stay at the world famous Palace of the Lost City in Sun City where guests can enjoy luxury accommodations, fine dining and a wide range of exciting outdoor activities and entertainment. Following an overnight journey on the legendary Blue Train, guests arrive in Cape Town where they will enjoy a four-nights stay at the Table Bay Hotel in luxury accommodations. Thirteen-days tour from $5,995 per person, based on double occupancy (land only). For more information contact: www.africanclassicencounters.com or 212-972- 0031.

ISRAMWORLD: "Cape Peninsula Gourmet Tour" &endash; Featuring three-nights luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, wine tasting and cooking demonstrations at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. Eleven-days program from $5,215 per person, based on double occupancy. For more information contact: www.isram.com or 800-223-7460.

Mango African Safaris: "A Taste of Africa" &endash; Starting in Cape Town this culinary tour features a three-nights stay at the Table Bay Hotel. Thirteen-days tour from $6,100 per person, not including air. For more information contact: www.mangosafari.com or 888-698-9220.

Safariline: "Cape Town Gourmet Sampler" &endash; Featuring three-nights luxury accommodations and breakfasts at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. Four-days tour from $1,710 per person based on double occupancy. For more information contact: www.safariline.net or 866-466-0301.

SITA World Travel: "A Culinary Adventure Through South Africa" &endash; The tour features luxury accommodations and meals at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. Eleven-days land package for two persons, double occupancy from $5,995 with airfare available from $1,750 per person. Contact: www.sitatours.com or 800-421-5643.

Creative Safaris: "Gourmets on Safari, a Gastronomic Journey Exploring the Fine Wines, Excellent Cuisine, Dramatic Landscapes, and Exotic Wildlife of Southern Africa - This guided culinary program starts with a two-nights stay at Sun International's Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town and a dinner hosted by Group Executive Chef, Conrad Gallagher, at the hotel's award-winning Atlantic Restaurant. Also included are two-nights at the new Royal Livingstone Hotel located at Victoria Falls in Zambia. Departing on February 22, 2005, the tour will be hosted by Carlos and Debbie Nieto, the chef and owner of the award winning Carlo's restaurant in Chicago, and Tom Jiaras of the International House of Wine & Cheese in Richmond, Illinois. Fifteen-days tour from $7,200 per person based on double occupancy. For more information contact: www.creativesafaris.com or 800-768-9020.

The Palace of the Lost City is Sun International's flagship hotel. Located at Sun City, which will be celebrating it's 25th anniversary in December of this year, the hotel has become one of the most enticing travelers' destinations in the world, a tribute to man's imagination and revered for its art and architecture. Fabled to be the royal residence of an ancient king, it is truly one of the 'Worlds Leading Hotels". The 338-room Palace lavishes its guests with 5-star service, and is luxurious in every facet of its fabulous architecture and décor. Surrounding the hotel is a 62-acre botanical jungle and a wide range out outdoor activities, ranging from guided walking safaris and game drives to hot air ballooning, as well as a water park, spas, restaurants, shopping and entertainment facilities.

The Table Bay Hotel, located on Cape Town's famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is an architectural masterpiece, capturing the essence of the enchanting Cape, the Victorian elegance of yesterday, combined with the contemporary design of today. Surrounded by historic buildings and exciting entertainment and shopping venues, the hotel features 329 rooms, ranging from standard to deluxe, offering unobstructed views of either the Atlantic ocean and Robben Island or the city's beloved icon, Table Mountain. The Table Bay Hotel is also home to several award-winning restaurants, including the Atlantic Restaurant for elegant dining, the Conservatory for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and the Lounge for light snacks and high teas.

The Royal Livingstone Hotel, Sun International's newest hotel property, brings a new level of unparalleled luxury, service, and sophistication to the world famous Victoria Falls region. Stretching along the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia, the 5-star hotel consists of a series of 17 two-story colonial-style buildings set amidst indigenous trees and plants. The main hotel is a sequence of thatch-roofed buildings, African in their influence, and incorporates a lounge, restaurant, bar and large outdoor swimming pool. The 173 luxury rooms offer private balconies or terraces from which guests can enjoy views of the Zambezi River and sounds of the thundering Victoria Falls located just steps away.

Sun International Hotels LTD is Southern Africa's premier luxury hotel group, which includes the Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town, the Palace of the Lost City, Sun City and the new Royal Livingstone, Victoria Falls, Zambia.