Win tickets to the Winter Sculpture Fair presented by MasterCard

The Winter Sculpture Fair presented by MasterCard will return to the NIROX Sculpture Park near the Cradle of Humankind on the 10th and 11th May 2014, where a selection of South Africa's best contemporary sculpture and Franschhoek's finest food and wine will be showcased.

Situated in a 15 hectare private nature reserve, the highly-acclaimed NIROX Sculpture Park will be home to the 'NIROX SCULPTURE | WINTER 14' exhibition. Visitors will be able to meander through the park to view nearly 100 sculptures by more than 50 contemporary artists, before picnicking in the countryside with family and friends.

Exquisite food and fine wine produced by 38 exhibitors of Franschhoek's most popular restaurants, producers and wineries will be on offer. A selection of Franschhoek cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolates will also be available to purchase, ahead of winter.

This year, visitors are set to experience an unmatched culinary and cultural day out with friends and family while:

• meandering through the exquisite landscaped park, taking in nearly 100 sculptures of the highly acclaimed 'NIROX SCULPTURE | WINTER 14' exhibition, curated by Mary-Jane Darroll
• tasting exquisite food and fine wine produced by some of Franschhoek's most popular restaurants, producers and wineries
• enjoying a relaxed picnic alongside the breath taking view

Tickets cost R100 and are available through www.webtickets.co.za, with a 10% discount if they are purchased using a MasterCard branded card. Limited tickets will be available at the door. Children 12 years and under enter free. For more information, visit www.wintersculpturefair.co.za.

MasterCard is giving away two double tickets to the Winter Sculpture Fair.

Competition question: Which payments and technology company is the Winter Sculpture Fair presented by? Email info@realtimewine.com with your answers and we'll do a draw after the competition closes!

Competition closes on 28 April 2014. Tickets are valid for Saturday, 10 May 2014 only. Tickets are not transferable. Terms and conditions apply.

The Franschhoek Cap Classique & Champagne Festival ‘The ‘Magic of Bubbles’. Presented by Mastercard.

These MasterCard events are always GREAT - so we like to keep y'all in the loop when they're going on. This time for Cape Town Wine Fans. Here's the scoop:

Don’t miss the highlight of the year’s festive calendar -  the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival ‘The ‘Magic of Bubbles’, Presented by MasterCard takes place in the picture-perfect Franschhoek Wine Valley over the weekend of 30 November and 1 December 2013.

Visitors can anticipate an unrivalled culinary showcase in the grand marquee situated on the lawns surrounding Franschhoek’s iconic Huguenot Monument, while local winemakers offer the finest Méthode Cap Classiques (MCC) to emerge from the wine cellars of South Africa.

”MasterCard is delighted to present this priceless gourmet experience to visitors coming from around the country,” says Philip Panaino, Division President, MasterCard, South Africa. “What better way to enjoy the natural beauty and heritage of Franschhoek than while sampling exquisite, locally-produced food and Cap Classiques at the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival.”

Well-known MCC producers participating in this popular festival include Pierre Jourdan, Morena, Môreson, La Motte, Boschendal, Leopard’s Leap, Noble Hill, Plaisir de Merle, Anthonij Rupert Wines, Graham Beck Wines, Krone, Simonsig, Steenberg and Villiera. Some of France’s best Champagnes will be represented by brands such as Billecart Salmon, Champagne Guy Charbaut and Veuve Clicquot.

With the winemaking methods virtually the same in the Champagne and Franschhoek regions, the success of a winemaker’s labours comes down to the terroir from which they source their grapes and their finely honed skills - something that South African winemakers have mastered throughout the years.

Visitors to the festival will be treated to an array of gastronomic delights presented by the local restaurants that have firmly entrenched Franschhoek’s status as one of the world’s premier culinary destinations. Some of the participating fine dining restaurants include well-known establishments such as The Restaurant at Grande Provence, Bread & Wine, Pierneef  à La Motte Restaurant, The SalmonBar, Dieu Donné, Haute Cabrière, Roca, Café BonBon, Huguenot Fine Chocolates and Le Franschhoek.

A short wander down the main road in Franschhoek will uncover world-class shops and boutiques for an intimate and relaxed shopping experience, while the many winefarms within easy reach of the village add to the appeal of a weekend of celebrating Cap Classiques.

Those wishing to spend the night will be spoilt for choice with accommodation ranging from the finest bed and breakfasts to luxurious boutique hotels, all nestling in a picturesque and secure environment.

The theme for this year’s festival is black and white, with an emphasis on spots and stripes. In keeping with a tradition that is now as much a part of the festival as is the bubbly, a prize will be awarded to the best dressed couple on each day.

Tickets cost R200 per person and include access to the festival which is open between 12pm and 5pm on 30 November and 1 December, a complimentary tasting glass and tasting coupons. Additional vouchers can be purchased on the day. Children under 18 years will be allowed free entry to the festival.

Book directly through www.webtickets.co.za, but hurry as tickets are limited! Use your MasterCard card to pay and receive a 10% discount on your ticket purchase, as well as a 10% discount on purchases made at the festival.

For more information visit www.franschhoekmcc.co.za, and follow us on Twitter @Franschhoek_SA. The official Festival hashtag is #fhkbubbly.

COMPETITION: Mastercard > The Gourmet Theatre @ FoodWineDesign JHB

Now this is a pretty sweet competition. Only for JHB folks unfortunately (the Cape Town lads and lasses get all the food & wine fun usually). Unless of course you're planning on being in Jozi - then feel free to enter. CRAZY prize of a double ticket worth R1600 to be wined and dined by local food wizards. Read on for how to enter - remember you have to be registered on Real Time Wine!

The Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard will make its second ever appearance at the FoodWineDesign Fair taking place at Johannesburg’s Hyde Park Corner from 23 - 25 November 2012.

A unique culinary and design experience, the Gourmet Theatre will feature the remarkable talents of Chefs Luke Dale-Roberts of The Test Kitchen, Reuben Riffel of Reuben’s Restaurant, and David Higgs of The Saxon Hotel . Each will present their signature dishes for lunch and dinner sittings that will take only 42 guests at a time on a remarkable journey of locally inspired tastes and flavours, presenting top end superior quality food in a novel and exciting environment.

The FoodWineDesign Fair is the second setting for the Gourmet Theatre, with MasterCard having launched this unique concept at the Johannesburg Cap Classique and Champagne Festival in August 2012.

Seats at the Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard at the FoodWineDesign Fair are primarily reserved for World MasterCard cardholders, but limited tickets are available to members of the public at R800 per person for selected lunch and dinner sittings with tickets available for purchase at www.webtickets.co.za.

Prize: 2 tickets (one Double) valued at R1600.00  to attend the Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard, with guest chef David Higgs of The Saxon Hotel, at FoodWineDesign Fair on the afternoon on Sunday 25th November 2012.

Question: Which Sandton Hotel did Chef David Higgs join after leaving Rust en Vrede in 2011?

Hint: click on the link to David Higgs.

Giveaway/competition closing date: 5pm 20 November 2012

HOW TO ENTER & Rules: Standard competition rules apply. Entries will be taken in the comments section of this blog, the comments attached to the Facebook post for this competition and on Twitter (directed to @realtimewine). One entry per person. Remember to tag your entry with #mastercard.

You need to be contactable on Wednesday 21 November in order to contact the prize otherwise we reserve the right to draw again.

Prizes will be a lucky draw. You must be registered on Real Time Wine to enter. Status levels get you bonus entries (ah, aren't you wishing you'd hit Social Spritzer by now!):

The Empty Glass: 1 entry
New Grape on the Block: 2 entries
Social Spritzer: 3 entries
Bottle Bandit: 4 entries
Wine Warrior: 5 entries.

Go Wine FANS!


Full press release below if you're interested in reading more...

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Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard Pops-up at FoodWineDesign Fair

Johannesburg, South Africa, 13th November 2012 – The Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard will make its second ever appearance at the Sanlam Investments FoodWineDesign Fair taking place at Johannesburg’s Hyde Park Corner from 23 - 25 November 2012.

A unique culinary and design experience, the Gourmet Theatre will feature the remarkable talents of Chefs Luke Dale-Roberts of The Test Kitchen, Reuben Riffel of Reuben’s Restaurant, and David Higgs of The Saxon Hotel. Each will present their signature dishes for lunch and dinner sittings catering to only 42 guests at a time. Artlogic, a Johannesburg-based intellectual-property company that creates branding platforms is curating the food, design, art and furniture aspects of the Gourmet Theatre.

“MasterCard and Artlogic have collaborated with Luke, Reuben and David to create this priceless experience that epitomises our premium card, World MasterCard,” says Mark Hearne, vice president, marketing and communications, South Africa, MasterCard Worldwide. “It characterises our promise of preferential access to a range of priceless experiences that are available to World MasterCard cardholders by invitation only.”

The FoodWineDesign Fair is the second setting for the Gourmet Theatre, with MasterCard having launched this unique concept at the Johannesburg Cap Classique and Champagne Festival in August 2012.

“The Fair is the perfect venue for the Gourmet Theatre, attracting South Africans who want to experience the best in local cuisine, leading boutique wines, and who want to furnish their living spaces with the works of top South African designers and artists,” said Hearne.

Crockery for the Gourmet Theatre has been commissioned from artisanal potter Tessa Gawith, and Katherine Glenday will supply bespoke water tumblers. The specially crafted oak tables, benches and chairs will be supplied by James Mudge Furniture Studios, and will be adorned with linen by Skinny laMinx creator, Heather Moore.

Artist Beezy Bailey has created a special edition of artworks entitled “Buckshot”, in line with the culinary themes of the Gourmet Theatre, and in keeping with the extraordinary quality of the concept, the chefs teams will weave their magic in a high-end custom-built kitchen created by The Culinary Equipment Company.

“The Gourmet Theatre is an exceptional showcase of South Africa’s finest culinary talent,” continues Hearne. “We have briefed the chefs to craft meals that will take our guests on a remarkable journey of locally inspired tastes and flavours, presenting top end superior quality food in a novel and exciting environment.”

Seats at the Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard at the FoodWineDesign Fair are primarily reserved for World MasterCard cardholders, but limited tickets are available to members of the public at R800 per person for selected lunch and dinner sittings with tickets available for purchase at www.webtickets.co.za

The Gourmet Theatre presented by MasterCard will make its next much anticipated appearance in the Western Cape at the Franschhoek Cap Classique and Champagne Festival from 30 November to 2 December 2012.