Liberty Midlands Mall, the largest and most popular retail destination within the Pietermaritzburg area, is gearing up for its ever popular #LoveLocal Festival this year from Friday, August 30th until Sunday September 1st, 2019.
The festival brings a weekend full of proudly local exhibitions, a locally inspired curated marketplace, a flower show, curated by award-winning gardener, and Home Channel Host, Tanya Visser, the new #ILoveMyMall hand wall, the finale of the Battle of the Bands competition, and the ever-popular Chef’s Theatre featuring our favourite foods, celebrities and chefs.
This year’s #LoveLocal Chef’s Theatre has an awe inspiring line-up, consisting of world-class local chefs, who will be partnering up with great celebrities, to offer the Midlands a weekend to remember and attendance is free. Adding an exciting twist to this year’s event will be the Mystery basket chef cook-offs, taking place on Saturday and Sunday’s 1:30pm slots
Get to watch some of the best chefs, that of culinary artist Theo Mannie from Granny Mouse Country House and Spa, Cheryl Govender of the Cake House, Nkosi Manquel of Golden Horse Casino, Jan Louis of Braham Hills, Jackie Cameron of Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine, Sbu Ngcobo of Seasons Café, Chef Lorenzo Giliomee of Fordoun Hotel and Spa, Chef Jen Pretorius of The Farmers Daughter and Chef Fungai Sinyolo of Qambathi Mountain Lodge, all cooking on a state of the art fully equipped kitchen, sponsored by Aurora Dezigns, as well as local celebrities who are sure to entertain while the chefs showcase their culinary talents to shoppers during this annual cooking extravaganza.
Breakfast show hosts, and well-known voice of East Coast Radio’s Breakfast show, Darren Maule’s wit, on-point commentary and, often-feisty, approach to important topics are a well-loved mix. Joining him at the kitchen will be his co-host, Keri Miller, known for her bubbly, vivacious personality. An isiZulu teacher turned voice over artist, MC and radio personality, Keri feels completely at home in front of a small audience, or on stage in front of thousands or in a recording booth.
Following their radio industry colleagues, comes the award-winning Drive DJ Bongani Mtolo and Mags Westerhof of East Coast Radio, as well as accomplished stand-up comedian, writer and comedy actor who frequently appears on theatre and comedy stages across the country, Gagasi Radio DJ, Felix Hlophe as well as Allie Jankee of Hindvani who will be joining in on the action.
A huge coupe for the event is that of a celebrity appearance, from our Dolphins Cricket Squad, Sarel Erwee, your left-handed batsman and right-arm off-break bowler from the Hollywood Bets Dolphins Cricket squad, and Martizurg United attacking midfielder Bandile Shandu. Last up on the list will be Stephanie Soogrin from the Witness.
Brian Unsted, Liberty Two Degrees Asset Management Executive for Liberty Midlands Mall, highlighted that this is quite the coupe having an outstanding line up of top notch chefs from the area that will participate in the cooking demos. “We are ecstatic with the calibre of celebrities and chefs, believe this is going to be a treat for foodies and fans of celebrities.”
The Food Festival Chefs Kitchen times and dates:
Day | Time | Chef | Celebrity |
Fri 30 Aug | 5:30pm | Jen Pretorius (The Farmer’s Daughter) | Stephanie Soogrin (The Witness) |
Sat 31 Aug | 11:30am | Fungai Sinyolo (Qambathi Mountain Lodge) | SJ Erwee (Hollywood Bets Dolphins Cricket) |
| 1:30pm | Nkosi Manqele (Golden Horse Casino) | Darren Maule (ECR) |
| | Jan Louis (Braham Hills) | Keri Miller (ECR) |
| 3:30pm | Jackie Cameron (Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine) | Felix Hlope (Gagasi FM) |
| 5:30pm | Sbu Ngcobo (Season’s Café) | Bandile Shandu Martizburg United player |
| | | |
Sun 1 Sept | 11:30am | Cheryl Govender (The Cake House) | Allie Jankee (Hindvani) |
| 1:30pm | Theo Mannie (Granny Mouse Country House & Spa) | Bongani Mtolo (ECR) |
| Lorenzo Giliomee (Fordoun Hotel & Spa) | Mags Westerhof (ECR) |
All this is free, so, make it a date and get down to Liberty Midlands Mall from Friday, August 30th – Sunday, Sunday, September 1st for a culinary celebration you won’t want to miss. Shoppers and attendees to the show can also enjoy extended trading hours until 7pm on Friday & Saturday.
For more information contact Liberty Midlands Mall on (033) 341 9570 or visit midlandsmall.co.za or on Facebook @MidlandsMall