“There’s something about street food that speaks to people’s souls, just like home cooking does,” says Hannerie Visser, the director of the Street Food Festival. That would explain the popularity of this annual event, which started in Cape Town in 2014 and was first held in Joburg in 2015. This year you can head to The Cosmopolitan in the Maboneng Precinct on Sunday, 28 August, to attend a food market representing local talent, as well as a conference geared specifically towards food entrepreneurs. We chatted to a member of the Street Food Fest team, Thembalethu Mkhize, on what festival-goers can look forward to.
What changes are being made to the festival this year?
This year’s festival follows a similar format with markets serving authentic street fare like askoek, walkie talkies, shisa nyama, bunny chows, gatsbys, fish and chips and vetkoek, among others. Before the market and conference, an Indian-themed Street Food dinner designed by Studio H and created by Food Jammer chef Jade de Waal will be arranged – inspired by their trips through India, as well as South Africa’s rich Indian food heritage. The dinner will take place in Joburg on Friday, 26 August.
Any highlights you’re excited about?
We really wanted to expand the festival to Joburg and started on a very small scale at our friend Jonathan Freemantle’s art gallery, Hazard in Maboneng. This year we’re partnering with Jonathan again on a bigger scale at his fantastic new venue, the remodelled Cosmopolitan. We’ll also make use of MOAD across the road and close off Albrecht Street in Maboneng. We’re very excited that Zolitha Magengelele, founder of The Cook’s Table, will be hosting a lunch and Thithi Nteta, South African fashion blogger and co-owner of pop-up brunch party The Wknd Social, will be one of our Joburg speakers.
Words: Belinda Mountain | Images: Supplied
