The launch of Ultimate Braai Master Live, a taste of what is coming at Montencasino in October

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

I was invited to a braai event this week, and I can feel you salivating already, thinking that we were fed that sumptuous braai meat on a sunny Johannesburg day that spare us from the often continually cold Joburg weather this winter that you have always wanted to enjoy.

The rather disappointing news is that there was no braai on the day, which was cool after all as we were fed lots of sumptuous cooked food, served in buffet and platter formats. We really had a lot to eat, and what about the drinking of cool wine and other beverages in a very cool restaurant called Delta Cafe &Don Quixote hidden along Malborough Avenue in Craighall Park, north of Johannesburg. This spacious venue for a restaurant is quite cool and those in attendance were heard praising this space which lends itself nicely for a sun downer on a late Friday afternoon.

How I wished that that Wednesday last week was a Friday, as one would not have needed to worry about waking up with a pounding head as one went to work the following day. The place also reminded me of the fact that as much as we think we know Johannesburg, especially among us who practically grew up in this sometimes scary and sometimes beautiful city with which many of us have a complicated relationship of hate and love, in fact we do not. Johannesburg simply has too many lovely places to eat, drink and have fun at for one to claim to know all.

Back to the launch of Ultimate Braai Master Live event, we had so much fun listening to the programme director Chris Forrest’s performance, for it was a performance than programme directing as between dishing out essential information about the forthcoming Ultimate Braai Master show, which will be shown on Trace TV, he cracked so many jokes to the extent that it became too easy to imagine that one was at a comedy show that the launch of the popular annual braai competition, that see those who fancy themselves as braai masters fight it out for the heart and nods of judges.

This popular event reminds one of the facts that South Africa is a braaing country, and sorry for the cows. We simply love braaing to the extent that instead of being a simple thing of putting marinated meat on open fires and turn it around a couple of times before putting it into one’s hungry stomach, this act has been elevated to a sophisticated art form, and jeez even a TV show.

You must have seen how the two professionals chefs on the day, our hosts’ performance, a demonstration that I felt did not go the full blast as it was simply a demonstration of what braaing should be, leaving some of us who were expecting the mother of braaing experiences somehow kind of disappointed. However, the cooked food galore that we kept on eating throughout the event, for the whole four hours that we were there, made it for us in the way of managing our initial expectations of enjoying a full braai from the braai masters themselves.

The point here is that the most sizzling event for lovers of everything braai is firing up as comedian and Masterchef Chris Forrest’s Cooking with Coals Events, fans the flames on The Ultimate Braai Master Live -a festival of all things braai, coming to Montecasino in Johannesburg North from 25 to 27 October. Sponsored by Mix 93.8 and Six Gun Grill this event promises a weekend filled with delectable braai food, sizzling hot demonstrations, fantastic entertainment, and an unparalleled expo filled with anything and everything to do with braai

Family, friends, novices, and braai master pros will all be able to indulge in a weekend of spectacular food and drink, gear, demos, spices, accessories, entertainment, and fun.

“This incredible three-day event hits all marks on what South Africans love – sun, braai entertainment, and some good healthy competition around the fire. You get a look at the best equipment, learn from the best, eat the best food, compete with the best if you want to and drink craft beer and wine. Best of all you get to do it with friends, family, or make new friends and family over Joburg’s top braai event,” says Forrest.

Nicci Smit of Mix 93.8 adds, “We are so proud to partner with this phenomenal feast of fire and food … what a perfect weekend for family and friends. We so look forward to Mix 93.8 being in the centre of seeing Joburg out and about at Montecasino enjoying the best of summer and the best of South Africa’s favourite pastime – braaiing!”

On the bill are top comedians partnering with top braai masters such as Pete Goffe-Wood and Benny Masekwameng to keep bellies full and laughing. You will also see the Ultimate Braai Master Team partnered with a selection of braai and outdoor lifestyle vendors to create a three-day experience that will satisfy the taste of all braai enthusiasts.

The event will includeinteractive entertainment (cook-offs, challenges, and more), a huge expo with the latest braai products and accessories, delicious braai food and drinks, music and children’s entertainment, craft beer and mini wine route, a braai competition – with the opportunity to be a judge and ultimately a great family day out And indeed going by what we experienced during the launch, which in fact was a taste of what is to come in October, this event lends itself in becoming the ultimate family outing experience.

 Ticket Options:

General Access Tickets include access to all demos and vendor stalls

VIP Tickets include access to all demos & vendor stalls, a VIP goodie bag and VIP entrance (no queuing to get in)

Judging Tickets include .Limited to 3 per day, event access on the day of judging only, access to all demos, a VIP goodie bag, a VIP entrance, exclusive judging t-shirt, a judging course by one of the  braai-masters, beverages during the judging process and exclusive tastings

For stall bookings: 

Vendors have the opportunity to sell their products to braai lovers attending the festival and can choose from a variety of stand sizes from R1 500 per square meter. 

.Exhibitors Applications  sales@cookinoncoals.co.za

Food Vendor Applications – info@cookingoncoals.co.za 

Tickets

Tickets for this incredible event are now officially available on Quicket with Early Bird Tickets available until 25 August Don’t miss out on what promises to be a fantastic celebration of braai culture, food, and fun!

Follow this event on:

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IG: cookingoncoalsevents

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