Step into a world of wonder at The Luxurious Marble Circus, where imagination meets extravagance. Taking place on 26 and 27 October 2024 at Ground The Venue in Muldersdrift, this avant-garde food and music festival promises a feast for your senses.

You can expect enchantment at every turn – from extraordinary performances to sensational drinks and food. The Marble team will welcome you from noon to midnight for an unforgettable adventure that redefines the ordinary. Eat Out caught up with Marble’s David Higgs to get the lowdown on what to expect.  

 

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What inspired the concept of The Luxurious Marble Circus, and how does it align with Marble Hospitality’s vision for exceptional dining experiences?
David: I think outdoor events have been something that Dino [Constantinou, a partner at Marble Hospitality] has been involved with all his life and it’s something that he’s been wanting to do, but with the Marble Hospitality sophistication. We’d been talking about it a lot and so it’s just a concept that was put together by a passion to do something on a different level and from an outdoor point of view.  

For someone who has been doing this for a while, you get to see the good, the bad and the ugly of it all and it was just something that he wanted to do, so he got the best people together, that being Grid and G&G productions.   

The important thing to know is that this offering is essentially an extension of our brand – Marble, Saint, Zioux and Pantry. More than anything, it’s about creating these experiences as a brand, and that’s what we have always been about within our spaces, and now [we’re] bringing it to an outdoor space on a bigger scale.

How will the collaboration between celeb chefs, such as The Lazy Makoti, J’Something and Reuben Riffel, influence the menu at the event?
David: The important thing about the collaborations is that, especially with our brands and this event, it was always about getting a bunch of friends together. So, whether that’s Reuben, Machal, The Lazy Makoti, Trevor, who used to work with me at the Saxon, Chef Miyamoto from Zioux or J’Something, these are all people who are good friends of mine and I enjoy spending time with them. There’s no pretense, there’s no fuss, it’s just really about putting a good event together with great food … with people that I get along well with and that I know cook tasty food. 

Can you elaborate on the unique offerings, such as the “surprise elements” in the desserts or any new products being introduced?
David: I think this is the big thing about The Luxurious Marble Circus – there are lots of little surprise elements and we don’t want to give that away, but yes, we’re playing with a couple of nice products. It’s just a take on everything that we’re doing now and a few additions here and there, but the surprise element must be there and the little sparks of wonder and little things that will bring a smile to the face. The unexpected little offerings are an important aspect of what we’re doing. So, yes, there will be these, and I want to try to keep those a surprise for now. 

What atmosphere or ambience can guests expect?
David: Being a festival of sorts, it’s about a vibe, you know? Good energy, starting with great food, which is not unheard of at festivals, but it’s about wanting to elevate the whole festival feel. And then, later on, you sort of progress into this wonderland, this incredible stage with these acts. You might think that it’s going to be Mi Casa, but you’re going to get Mi Casa plus…  So, yes, lots of surprises, which creates that intrigue about what’s going to happen next, and that’s always great! 

But I think together with that, we talk about luxurious, and we talk about luxury. We’re talking dress up, we’re talking about a beautiful feel, whether it be on the Playground in the field, or the two dining areas, The Royal Lounge and the Grand Dining Room. It’s going to be elegant, it’s going to be fun – just a big fat jol by Joburg standards.  

 

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What are some of the standout dishes or menu items that you believe will be the highlight of the event?
David: This kind of event is always about that initial wow element and then finishing off on a high, and if you think of circuses and stage acts, where there is a big reveal with curtains opening, it’s got to be that kind of event where you’re not quite sure what’s going on behind those curtains. But there will be all the Marble, Saint and Pantry favourites; the doughnuts will always make an appearance, there will be soft serve, but obviously when it comes to presentation, that’s where the kicker comes! 

How do you envision the ‘Pantry’ area fostering a sense of community and social interaction among guests?
David: Socialising, as you know, often starts with food, sitting around a table, but there won’t be any tables, so it’s picnicking, sitting on the lawns, gathering around the lovely seating areas that are going to be created. The pantry area will have a lovely mingling, eating, drinking, moving around ambience, which is always fun. And especially with the Jozi crowd, you’re always entertained.  

Are there any special touches or interactive elements planned that will make this event different from other culinary experiences, and what might they be?
David: When it comes to elevating the dining experience itself or the eating experience, the way the food is served, it’s almost dramatic and we talk about whimsical a lot. I’ve been working on a Parma ham and melon dish. It’s such an ordinary dish, but we’ve created this lovely, almost mini sculpture. It’s about the platters, it’s all about your operating equipment and the way the room looks, and we’ve got Anne Mann involved. I mean, she’s the best in the game. With Anne Mann curating the spaces and the table settings and so forth, you know you are in for a treat. 

How do you see The Luxurious Marble Circus contributing to the future direction of Marble Hospitality’s events?
David: It’s something that we want to bring to Cape Town – we’ve already discussed it – and, who knows, to any other part of South Africa, Africa, the world, possibly. We will see how we go, but we already throw a party at the end of the year just outside the Waterfront that we have done in the past year with Saintly Sundays, so, yes, we just keep adding these little things to our events and taking the Marble Hospitality name and creating experiences.  

Book your tickets online before they sell out!