• The V&A Waterfront’s ‘Neighbourfood Winter Campaign’ is back for the second year in a row, aiming to highlight the area’s food ecosystem.

    In collaboration with social partners and restaurant winter specials, the event hopes to develop a sustainable, locally-based, authentic and culturally diverse food ecosystem that supports healthy food lifestyles and livelihoods, says Tinyiko Mageza, executive head of marketing at the V&A Waterfront.

    ‘Neighbourfood is our way of saying “Come and let us break bread together”. Communal eating offers a sense of belonging, [and] increases social bonding and feelings of well-being. It also sparks joy, enhances our sense of contentedness and embeds us within a community. The platform also serves as a table for important food conversations and this is reflected in themes and activations we have planned.’

    The Waterfront operates a holistic approach to food, measuring its impact on communities. To date, the project has supported more than 6 000 livelihoods.

    The initiative will host several events this year, including:

    Food Dialogues (4 to 18 July)

    Food Dialogues 2023 aims to connect people and food systems from across the city via inner-faith dining experiences, chef-led culinary adventures, art exhibitions, walking tours, workshops and conferences. The programme will take place at the V&A Waterfront, Philippi Village, Langa and in community centres and faith centres across Cape Town.

    To book tickets to this event, visit this link.

    Night Feast (30 June, 28 July, 25 August, and 29 September)

    The Night Feast will occur on the last Friday of each month throughout winter at different locations at the V&A Waterfront. Experience musical performances by Majozi and friends at the Amphitheatre between 4pm and 7pm, or enjoy long-table dinners laid out by executive chefs at the ZEITZ MOCAA and Two Oceans Aquarium.

    Feastival, Makers Landing (30 June, 28 July, 25 August, and 29 September 2023)

    Zakes Bantwini and a full lineup of regional artists will perform at Feastival, the renowned food and music festival, this year. Visitors can also attend a cooking workshop hosted by chef Rueben Riffel from Hush In My Kitchen and Afrikoa Chocolate on 30 June.

    • Workshop times: Couples Chocolate & Wine Truffle Making (with Afrikoa): 4:45pm to 5:30pm | Couples Tacos and Tequila Fiesta hosted by Hush In My Kitchen: 6pm to 7:30pm | Chef Reuben Riffel Masterclass: 8pm to 9:30pm

    To book tickets for the Night Feast and Feastival, visit this link.

    Ladles of Love Mandela Day world record attempt

    Among the V&A Waterfront’s many partnerships for this year’s Neighbourfood Winter Campaign is the non-governmental organisation Ladles of Love. The organisation will attempt to break a world record by hosting the largest number of volunteers spending 67 minutes on Mandela Day. The effort will involve making sandwiches, care packs, planting seedlings, filling jars of hope, collating books, and packing stationery or crafting toys. To participate, visit this link.

    Winter restaurant specials

    Visitors will get a chance to choose from a selection of the latest Neighbourfood special offers, including Quay Four, Sevruga, Tiger’s Milk, La Parada, Crumbs & Cream, Cause & Effect, Gibson’s, The Raj, Col’cacchio, Primi.

    To view the full list, visit here.

    Prizes to win for the public

    Furthermore, visitors also stand a chance to win a R10 000 V&A Waterfront voucher by rating their server at a V&A restaurant. The group will also give two R1 000 vouchers to top-rated servers each week for seven weeks.

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    20 popular restaurants at the V&A Waterfront

    By Ilze-Mari Van Zyl for Cape {town} Magazine

    Feature Image: Pexels