Spring is getting here, with the forecast looking better and better.  But while it may still be a bit nippy, why not warm up in one of the local eateries? On Friday evening, 4th September, you could enjoy a Greek evening at Mandelis. Smash plates under the vines, while enjoying delicious Greek lamb, Meze and Baklava.

Over the first ‘official’ spring weekend, 4th - 6th September, there is a Mountain Bike night race on Friday night, starting  at 18:45 from Oom Tats. On Saturday, starting at Beloftebos, there will be three distances offered; 10 km,  30 km and 65 km. The route takes you through the local fynbos and wine farms. Beloftebos is a beautiful oak forest on the farm Paardenberg, next to Salmonsdam Nature Reserve.  Bring the family and enjoy the day under the oaks – there will be a farmer’s market, with lots of food stalls, local wine and beer and lots more!

The Stanford Village Market has been moved back to Saturday mornings, by popular demand. Pop into Stanford Galleries between 10 and 12am, and stock up on the locally produced goodies for the weekend.

Thanks to many car trips with teenage daughters, and Gareth Cliff on FiveFM, Fridays  always  evoke this happy cry……….

And being in Stanford for this long weekend promises to be filled with lots of things to do, places to visit, and of course, good things to eat!  Hop over to Hermanus, and visit The Hermanus Wine & Food Fair. Its been nominated as one of the 10 best wine festivals in South Africa. 50 local wineries from Elgin to Elim will present their wines for tasting, not forgetting delectable fares from various cheese and olive farms, as well as the famous Sushi of The Harbour Rock. All the wines on tasting will be available for purchasing at the Wine Village during the festival at cellar price.

Local Stanfordian and Supercook, Michael Dyson, will be plying his wares there. He’ll be offering sirloin steak rolls in home-made plaited stoneground flour rolls, hand-made chorizo sausage in same, Michael’s Fried Chicken, Onion Bhajis and a selection of warm pies, including the shortly-to-be-famous Stanford pie! This one has surpassed sales of the English Pork Pie and is now his best seller.

The Hermanus Botanical Society will be the main beneficiary of the Wine Village Cocktail for Fynbos and Wine Auction on Friday 7 August. Tickets are R120 per person and this includes a sumptuous supper, wine tasting, with the star attraction of the evening, the famous Wine Auction. Please remember that bookings are essential and tickets can be purchased from the Wine Village.

The Hermanus Times Kalfiefees from 6 -10 August hosts a number of class acts including music, comedy, drama, children’s theatre and more. “A Teacher in the Bushveld” is a humour and drama filled play that explores Herman Charles Bosman’s life as a school teacher in the Marico Bushveld. Mike van Graan uses South Africa’s obsession with sport for hilarious and satirical social commentary “Bafana Republic 3: Penalty Shootout“

Stanford welcomes a new chef into their embracing arms; Craig Andersson has recently been appointed to the stately restaurant and manor house, 1892 Stanford Spookhuis at Mosaic Farm. Craig will take on the role as their new executive chef cuisinier. After spending some years in fine dining restaurants in Ireland, he fine tuned his skills at Spier.  He is passionate about making use of the local produce, and what can’t be harvested from the organic kitchen garden, is sourced from Hermanus, or from the boats at Gansbaai Harbour. ”Out here in the country, people savour our food and relish their time; it almost feels like the mountain is protecting us from the harsh reality of life out there. My philosophy: KISS! Keep It Simply Scrumptious.”
As a tribute to the owners, Kathryn and Breese Johnson, who hail from Jack Daniels country, Tennessee, Craig has created a homemade chicken liver pâté infused with Jack Daniels.  And on Saturday August 15 at 6:30 PM, he will be showcasing his Southern inspired food at a whiskey and food pairing  event at Mosaic Farm hosted by Joffy Senekal.