I grew up as the bargain hunting girl. I also grew up adding orange juice to cheap wine with fake fizz and two for one special as a family night out. It wasn?t because life was ruff ? it?s genetic, apparently. In Yiddish, we call it Schnoep and I was very content with that, until I grew up, started to earn my own money, hung out with a new breed of humans called hedonists and fell in love with the genuine stuff!!
I see my family platz a little when I turn my nose up at wine with fizz or a chardonnay that doesn?t come from and estate I have visited or have sampled at a wine tasting affair. Then there?s the genuine handbags that could possibly be a week?s grocery budget and the food and wine pairings that are an institution among us hedonists.
My Joanne has been the greatest hedonist influence in my life ... thank you friend!
No wonder I was in 7th heaven at this past weekend?s Sanlam #Handmade Contemporary, Food Wine Design fair on the Hyde Park rooftop. It was so great, I went twice. Far too many exquisite dishes to sample and wines to sample. I had to go back for another dip into chocolate or gaze at the handbags and linen that I can see myself surrounding myself with in my near future.
I have no idea why other people go to fairs like this or choose to fall in love with sampling the best of South African creations, but I do know that events like this are my reminder of how far I have come and all that I know I am able to achieve.
Not the run of the mill exhibitors, but true artisans in their own craft, was the highlight of the weekend and I marvelled at how finding our unique passion can set us aside from all the rest. Something I strive for every day.
Four years down the line and the fair has really grown in popularity and awareness. It was a bustle of people indulging in the handmade craft of food, wine and design.
Full moon and bubbles
Huge contract to all the exhibitors and gratitude to Sanlam for finding the best and sharing them with us. If you missed it ? here are all the details because there is so much out there waiting for you to sample.
Media Release:
Johannesburg, 11 November 2014:? This past weekend the Hyde Park Corner rooftop was home to over 100 talented craftsmen and women for the fifth annual Sanlam Handmade Contemporary (FoodWineDesign) Fair.
From furniture designers to ceramicists, garagiste winemakers and celebrity chefs, the diverse range of talented local artisans attracted more than 12 000 visitors over the course of the weekend.
?There is a fast-growing trend to return to the artisanal and so we spent a lot of time searching for the perfect exhibitors to showcase well-made, ethically produced, desirable products, with a story behind them. We are overwhelmed by the positive feedback we have received so far and are pleased that the rename has been so well received,? says Fair Curator, Roberta Thatcher.
Commenting on the success of this year?s Fair, Carl Roothman, Chief Executive of Sanlam?s Investment Retail Business says: ?It?s always inspiring to see local talent being supported and celebrated, especially local craftsmen who invest their time, creativity and money into what they do.? This Fair allows for exactly that, and we are very proud to be a part of it.?
Keep in touch with #HandmadeContemporary for next year:
Official event website: www.foodwinedesign.co.za
Follow FoodWineDesign on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sanlamfoodwinedesign
FoodWineDesign on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FWD_Fair
An exquisite discovery!
