22 May 2013

Get Ready for 40 000 Fresh Oysters at Brightwater Commons

Submitted by: Sarann Buckby

The ninth annual Oyster, Wine and Food Festival is taking place on 1-2 June from 11:00 – 18:00 at The Brightwater Commons, a Fountainhead Retail Asset. This is Gauteng’s largest Oyster Festival and promises to bring over 40 000 oysters, 30 gourmet food exhibitors and over 38 wine estates to tantalise your palette.

From young to old, the Oyster Festival attracts a vibrant and diverse crowd. Whether you prefer to taste wine in the open-air Promotions Court, lounge around sipping bubbly in the Champagne Garden, catch the sporting action and Guinness at the Beer Tent or find a spot on the grassy commons, there’s bound to be something for you.

“The Brightwater Commons is home to this festival, which has been established as a firm favourite by many returning visitors over the years. People travel from all over the province to attend and indulge in the gourmet foods, wines, bubbly and of course the oysters. Last year we sold a record 38 000 oysters over two days and this year we hope to exceed that”, says Francois du Buisson, Marketing Manager at the Brightwater Commons.

All wines will be found in the open-air Promotions Court at the centre. Wine glasses can be purchased for R25 at one of three entrances, affording visitors the opportunity for diverse and interesting tastings at the wine circles.

Visitors can enjoy the heady mix of cheese platters, oysters and Methode Cap Classique over the weekend.

Fresh oysters, along with cooked oyster meals, will be abundantly available for famished festival-goers. This year medium oysters will be sold for R12 each and the popular jumbo oysters for R20 at a dedicated station. Gourmands are invited to experiment with their pairings and match the delicious oceanic flavor of the oysters with Guinness, beers and wines, or the classic favourite, a crisp bubbly.

Resident Chef Lehan Botha from Celo Creative Culinary Concepts has seen the festival go from strength-to-strength with a focus on up-market quality and variety at a pocket-friendly rate. “We’re flying in 40 000 fresh oysters this year and are confident the festival foodies will be up to the challenge of consuming them all!”

It really doesn’t matter whether you like to eat them plain, with a dash of lemon, some black pepper or cooked with flavor - the Oyster Festival will be sure to appease your craving for oysters. This year the Pint o’ Prawn is introduced; an easy favourite, prawns will be served with lemon and garlic or peri –peri.

“People love sitting the Champagne Garden, it’s lush greenery, beautiful sunshine and fabulous bubbly makes it an almost zen spot amongst the activity of the Festival”, says Judith Lee, Festival oenologist from Full Volume Events.

Last year saw 1000 cupcakes sold, 4000 pints of beer drunk at the Beer Tent, 280 kgs of lemon used and an overall growth of 61% of the Festival.

The Oyster Wine and Food Festival is presented by The Brightwater Commons in conjunction with Full Volume Events and Celo Creative Cullinary Concepts. Entry into the Festival is free, however there will be a charge for the oysters, gourmet foods and wine.

For more information contact The Brightwater Commons on 011 789 5052 or visit http://www.brightwatercommons.co.za and find them on Facebook.