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South Africa’s first farm-to-table snail concept

Monday, August 3rd, 2015 by Astrid McBean
Heather and Stanley Micallef

Heather and Stanley Micallef. Photo courtesy of the store.

Stanley Micallef and his wife, Heather, have been farming snails for two years in Benoni. When their escargot was recommended by a critic for our list of 33 dishes to order this winter, our interest was piqued. Astrid McBean tracked Stanley down to find out more about his revolutionary farm-to-table snail concept.

The idea of starting to farm snails was born out of the gap in the South African market for high-quality escargot. “Fresh snails have a texture and taste which far surpasses the tinned variety,” says Stanley. After research, numerous attempts and some trial and error, Stanley and Heather have now perfected their secret winning formula.

Stanley's Snails in jars

Stanley’s Snails in Mediterranean sauce. Photo courtesy of the store.

How it works

The snails are grown either outdoors in a controlled enclosure, or indoors for year-round production. After harvesting the mature snails, Stanley prepares them in two ways. The traditional French Burgundy style calls for the shells to be filled with garlic and parsley butter before the snails are vacuum packed, but the team is also trying to educate snailers on how to enjoy the delicacy the way they do elsewhere in Europe, in a Mediterranean tomato-based sauce.

For the latter style, the snails are sold in jars with herby tomato, chilli, or rich garlic sauce. Prices range from between R30 to R125 for either plain or saucy snails. The snails are also supplied blanched (out of the shell) to fine dining restaurants and gastro pubs in and around Gauteng.

French-style Stanley's Snails

French-style Stanley’s Snails. Photo courtesy of the store.

According to Stanley, the snails take nine months to develop from hatching stage until they’re adults large enough to eat. “It is not a quick process. Remember, snails can be called the original slow food!” he jokes.

The future

Escargot is becoming increasingly popular, says Stanley. “We can see the possibility of sending to places further afield in the future.” Find Stanley’s Snails at 10 Orange Road, Farramere, Benoni, Johannesburg.

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25 Comments

  • Livinia Iannou bennallack
    September 3, 2015

    I would like to be an agent for the snails. Please contact me on 0824167894 otherwise on email.

    Reply
    1. glenda wood
      February 12, 2017

      Dear Livinia.
      Our small garden is full of giant snails, as we do not know enough about them ( or whether they are of any culinary value ), if so , we wondered if it would be viable to farm them on a bigger scale, as we have access to farm land. If so, we wondered if you would be interested in advising us to start farming them with you as some sort of partner.
      Thanking you,
      Glenda Wood
      Port Elizabeth

    2. Ntombenhle Zinhle Dladla
      March 4, 2017

      Livonia, i am interested in snail farming. I stay on the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal. I would to know more info about marketing. My email address : zdladla7@gmail.com

  • Tammy
    April 21, 2016

    We are moving to a plot in Gauteng and are interested in farming snails. Is there any advice you could offer? Also, is there a demand for Giant African Land Snails in SA?

    Reply
    1. Kyle
      May 22, 2019

      Hi, you can contact Goshen Snail Farm on Facebook. They will be happy to assist you. They are the leading snail farm in South Africa

  • Pierre Leukes
    October 13, 2016

    I am extremely interested as I have been harvesting snails for the past seven years. Initially the snails were exported to Spain but unfortunately the company handling exports went under. There was a bit of a lull but lately I have been sending snails to Gauteng regularly. I believe this is an industry with huge potential.i

    Reply
    1. Irene Haselau
      October 20, 2017

      I work for an advertising agency and we need live snails for a TV commercial, can you help please.
      Kind regards
      Irene

  • Andrew Chiloane
    October 21, 2016

    Kindly assist with acts that governs snail farming. I’m a student at University of Stellenbotch studying management development programme. I am aware that your are the only farmer farming with this species, hence I request your assistance. My cell number is 083 3054 688

    Reply
    1. Eat Out
      November 2, 2016

      Hi Andrew. It would be best to give Stanley’s Snails a shout yourself. You can find their contact information here: https://www.eatout.co.za/venue/stanley/
      Good luck with your studies!

  • Rosa Albasini
    March 8, 2017

    Would like to know more in farming with snails . How to start up.
    Is there farmers that supply snails for start up.

    Reply
  • Gomoco Kalamore
    March 10, 2017

    I have a plot in the north west and being born and bred in the Free State, I have never seen snails this huge while growing up in FS, my plot has plenty of these huge land snails, been thinking there must be a market for their meat thus I ended up here.

    would love to start farming them but like most the market is a big of a problem, any advice.

    rgd

    Gomoco

    Reply
    1. Greg
      October 11, 2017

      Please send me you contact details?

    2. Rinaldo
      December 12, 2017

      Please provide your contact details.
      phone and email
      Thank you

  • ronel hammond
    May 14, 2017

    Good day
    We have a snail processing factory in Mosselbay and looking for suppliers of live Helix aspersa snails. Would you please be so kind and email me if you can supply us with snails: hammondronel@gmail.com.

    Reply
    1. nico
      March 18, 2018

      Hi Ronel, Still interested in buying snails. Please forward price /kg or ton.

    2. kevin.hall
      February 10, 2019

      Hi Ronel which type of snail do you prefer and what are the current prices.
      I am based on east rand in gauteng.

  • Glen Thomas
    October 31, 2017

    Good day

    Please can you get hold of me urgently. I am looking for snails for a fishing competition this weekend and would like to purchase a whole lot of snails from you for this event. I will come and fetch them.

    Regards
    glen

    Reply
  • Daisy Mashaba
    December 24, 2017

    Good day , I have a plot in Springs, I am interested in farming snails, pls inform me what to do. Thanks

    Reply
  • Jonathan
    September 13, 2018

    Please forward me information as i’m very interested.
    Regards.

    Reply
  • Johan de Waal
    October 15, 2018

    I would like to get more info on snail farming, where to start, etc. Please contact me. Johan, Somerset West, Western Cape.

    Reply
    1. Eat Out
      October 31, 2018

      You can get in touch with Stanley here: https://www.facebook.com/stanleyssnails/

  • Dinah
    October 30, 2018

    hi, please help with market I’m very interested in snail farming I have land.

    Reply
    1. Eat Out
      October 31, 2018

      You can get in touch with Stanley directly here: https://www.facebook.com/stanleyssnails/

  • Hettie nienaber
    February 8, 2019

    Please I Iam also want to farm with snails. Eny advise wil be welcome. Thankyou

    Reply
  • Alvaro Goncalves
    February 24, 2019

    Hi Nico.
    I am looking for a supplier of snails of the spices THEBA PISANA (scientific name) can you help.

    Reply

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