Food expo named

CANDICE BRADFIELD

A THREE-DAY food, wine and lifestyle expo taking place in Bathurst in October has been officially named the "Bathurst Country Affair”, with the slogan "The best food jol of your life”.

WE HAVE A WINNER: Theresa Smith (centre) won the naming competition for the Bathurst food, wine and life expo with her entry "Bathurst Country Affair”. Her prize of a weekend experience in Bathurst was sponsored by (from left) Iylsa van Mierlo from Summerhill, Liz Parkins from Relix, Lucille Came from the Pig n' Whistle and Richard Rademan Picture: CANDICE BRADFIELD

Summerhill and The Pig n' Whistle have each offered a one night stay for two sharing including bed and breakfast. Relix sponsored a R100 voucher, the Bathurst Arms donated two bottles of wine, Pic-Kwicks has given a R100 voucher for pizza and pasta and Richard Rademan will take Smith and her partner on a horse and carriage ride through Bathurst.

According to convener Tanya Schenk, Jeremy Mansfield, who is from the area, has agreed to come on board for the event. He has invited seven of South Africa's top chefs as well as national media. His aim for Bathurst is for the village to become the Clarens of the Eastern Cape.

Plans are currently running full steam ahead for the event which will run from October 26 to 28. This will be an annual event aimed at promoting not only Bathurst but the entire region from Port Elizabeth to East London and up to Grahamstown. All business owners and service providers in the area are welcome to exhibit at the event.

Schenk is a committee member of the Bathurst Business Forum and is working together with them to promote the Bathurst Country Affair.

This is a non-profit event and proceeds will go into a fund for sustainable community development which will continue to add value to the expo throughout the year.

"It will be an ongoing process where people will be taught to grow their own food,” said Schenk.

This organic produce will then be used at the next annual event. Tina Piek is the expo committee's community representative and she will be organising dancing and other entertainment from Nolukhanyo township.