Looking for something to do this weekend? Head out to one of these food, beer and wine festivals that are taking place over the next few days.

Johannesburg

Franschhoek Food and Wine Festival (Montecasino)
Gautengers will be able to get a taste of Franschhoek this weekend without leaving their zip code. This food-and-wine wonderland at Montecasino will feature over 30 small producers, top Franschhoek Restaurants (Foliage, Pierneef à La Motte, Boschendal, Grande Provence and Bread & Wine) and 15 boutique vineyards whose wines will be paired with the chefs’ signature dishes. Live entertainment will be provided by the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra.

Franschhoek Food and Wine Festival at the Montecasino.

The Festival runs over three days from 28 to 30 August, opening with an evening session on Friday, followed by two sessions on Saturday (lunchtime and evening) and then a final lunchtime session on the Sunday. Tickets are R150 per person and kids under 12 get in for free. Book your tickets via iTickets.

Faood at the Franschhoek Food and Wine Festival at the Montecasino.

Pinotage on Tap (Modderfontein)
This popular wine festival kicks off with its first leg in Johannesburg at Val Bonne Country Estate in Modderfontein on Saturday 29 August. Visitors will be treated to a goodie bag on arrival, followed by lunch, featuring an array of foods (including dessert) that pair perfectly with pinotage. Bottomless coffee-chocolate pinotage will be on tap, available straight from the barrels. SA band CrashCarBurn will be headlining the event along with Howie Combrink. The festival pass costs R410, or R925 with a case of pinotage. Tickets are available from Computicket.

Durban

Eat a Cow – slow meat initiative (city centre)
The event, dubbed Table of 10, will see ten chefs prepare their own dish using an individual cut of beef sourced nose-to-tail-style from a single grass-fed Afrikaner cow. Participating chefs include Xanthos Giannakopoulos of the Durban Country Club, Jackie Cameron of Jackie Cameron’s School of Food and Wine, Steven Kruger of Beluga, Alex Poltera of Fern Hill Hotel, Andrew Draper of Harvey’s Restaurant, Charlie Lakin of 9th Avenue Bistro, Jonty Nicholson from Nicolson’s Country Café, Gerard van Staden from Simbithi Country Estate, Warren Frantz from Ushaka Marine World, and Kayla Osborn from Traffords.

Harvey’s Restaurant and Harry’s Cocktail Bar. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Guests pay R295 each for five meal tickets, an offal ticket, a beer or glass of wine, dessert buffet and cheese board, plus a golden ticket to award to their favourite dish of the day. In addition, artisan producers will set up shop alongside the chef stations, offering everything from crafted produce and free-range eggs to cheeses and local beer. The event will take place on Sunday 30 August at the Durban Country Club from 11.30am to 4pm. Children are welcome for R75 each, which includes a homemade burger and chips, fresh cordial, and access to the kids’ zone. To book, call Durban Country Club on 031 313 1777.

A dish from 9th Avenue Bistro. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Cape Town

Gardens Centre Craft Beer Festival (Garden’s Centre)
The city shopping centre will be hosting an exciting neighbourhood beer fest from Wednesday 26 to Saturday 29 August. Showcasing a variety of the Cape’s best craft beers from the likes of Boston Brewery and Jack Black as well as refreshing ciders, this hoppy festival is sure to liven up your weekend shopping trip. There will be food on offer and live music to top it all off. The festival takes place from 12pm to 7pm on Thursday and Friday and 12pm to 5pm on Saturday.

Winelands

Drive-in at Spier (Stellenbosch)
To celebrate the Western Cape moving slowly into spring, Spier will be hosting a movie night under the stars, screening James Bond’s Dr. No. A food stall will sell tasty snacks such as barbequed corn, root veg crisps and Farmer Angus beef biltong. For the sweet tooth, there will be sesame caramel nuts, speckled eggs and decadent chocolate brownies. Soft drinks and wine with glasses will be available to complete a perfect evening. You can also pre-order a snack pack at R180 (serves 2). Guests should bring along blankets, cushions and chairs as it may get quite chilly. The screening begins at 7pm sharp. Tickets are R250 per vehicle and are available via Webtickets.