To truly appreciate the latest décor trends and styles, visitors to Decorex Durban will be treated to a wide range of foodie features to ensure all senses are completely satisfied. Taking place at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 21 to 24 March, Decorex Durban has announced a mouth-watering line-up of food demonstrations, beautifully-curated dining stations and a number of taste-enhancing bars that have been worked into this year’s style trends.
“Food and art are inextricably linked which is why Decorex Durban has always featured leading gourmet specialists from across the province in settings that reflect the character of the food,” explained Sian Cullingworth, Portfolio Director at Reed Exhibitions. “The Decorex Durban menu will cater for many different tastes and there will be a notable inclusion of African flavours this year as chefs and food experts blend in the Decorex theme, ‘Designing for Africa – feels like home’.”
Gourmet Cooking Theatre
A definite special on the Decorex Durban food feature is the Gourmet Cooking Theatre where KwaZulu-Natal’s culinary elite share industry insights and must-try recipes during fun demonstrations. The Gourmet Cooking Theatre will feature the all-new Cooking for Africa element where the aromatic flavours of the African continent are set to explode in this innovative space.
First on the menu is the chef from Valeo Whole Foods, a trendy café located within the upbeat Durban North health shop – Health on Broadway. Their inspiring range of meat-alternative meals and sugar, dairy, gluten and cruelty-free desserts have seen them attract international clientele, including Bryan Adams. Their superfood recipes offer healthy options – that don’t sacrifice any of the flavour – for the discerning foodie.
Bianca Harper – Valeo Whole Foods
The culinary sister act from Chilli Chocolate Chefs – Zainab and Faatimah Paruk – will whet the appetites with their distinctive cuisine which is playful, comforting but, above all, supremely delicious. Taking a creative view on traditional dishes, the funky siblings will demonstrate recipes that reveal how they’ve come to dominate the catering industry.
Zainab and Faatimah Paruk – Chilli Chocolate Chefs
Culinary artists, Wayland Green and Theo Mannie of Granny Mouse Country House & Spa will be demonstrating their top-quality cooking techniques. Green has ample experience in local foods, having worked across the province with some of the industry’s best. He’s continued to maintain the reputation of this Midlands’ culinary gem since 2015, when he took over as Senior Sous Chef. Mannie, also a Sous Chef, joined the Granny Mouse family in 2017, having gained invaluable experience working at hotels, canteens, as well as music and food festivals all over. His passion lies in menu and dish planning.
Wayland Green and Theo Mannie – Granny Mouse Country House & Spa
Adding flavour to this year’s demonstration is Guy Gorrie, Executive Chef at uMhlanga’s Royal Palm Hotel, who will bring his international experience at various Michelin-starred restaurants to this year’s Gourmet Cooking Theatre. Despite his global adventures, his passion and speciality lie in South African cuisine which incorporates organic, seasonal ingredients.
Guy Gorrie – uMhlanga’s Royal Palm Hotel
Another KwaZulu-Natal chef renowned for his exceptional cuisine is Deena Naidoo, South Africa’s first MasterChef SA and patron chef of Aarya restaurants at both MonteCasino and Silverstar Casino. Working into this year’s theme, Naidoo’s cooking reflects South Africa’s multi-cultural heritage with an aim to delight palates of all cultures.
Deena Naidoo – South Africa’s first MasterChef SA and patron chef of Aarya restaurants
Gina Neilson – Dr Broth Bone Broth
A veritable Durban institution, 9th Avenue Bistro is known for its modern, creative yet unpretentious meals that constantly evolve to satisfy varying tastes. Gina Neilson, co-owner of the restaurant and creator of Dr Broth Bone Broth, will join forces with celebrated South African dietitian and chronic disease expert, Danielle Roberts, for an informative demonstration on the many health benefits of new superfood, bone broth.
Danielle Roberts – dietitian & chronic disease expert.
1-Day Pop-up Market in collaboration with TINGG
Things are set to get festive on Friday, 22 March from 11 am when Decorex Durban’s 1-Day Pop-up Market in collaboration with TINGG is set to get underway. Visitors will be treated to the enlivened sights, sounds and tastes of this vibrant city as leading food experts to provide a host of delicious food items with an African-inspired twist. Hayley Jacobsen and Candice Botha of local events’ organisation, TINGG, have planned a unique Durban experience with live musical entertainment and a host of bespoke retail products – all set within the leading décor, design and lifestyle exhibition.
Foodie features
Decorex Durban also boasts an extensive features’ programme that is overflowing with food-focused designer installations such as Dine & Design Restaurant + Bar, a comfortable seated dining area in an African-inspired restaurant that promises gourmet food options. Those looking for a takeaway snack or refreshing meal at the show will find them at The Deli, offering an array of deli meats, cheeses and ready-made meals supplied by the region’s top delicatessens. Africa’s flavours will be infused in the delectable servings from upmarket catering company, Fudart, as they prepare creatively-fused meals in Fudart strEATERY – a taste of Africa. And, to finish it off, Mint Treat Café encourages visitors to indulge that sweet tooth with an assortment of chocolate, cake and candy treats in this Mint-coated eatery.
A toast to décor excellence
Enticing flavours continue to overwhelm at the bars and cafés, where informed baristas, mixologists and sommeliers are ready to match visitors with their perfect drink. Start off with The Illy Experience where a range of new beverages – ice coffees, smoothies and nitro coffees – will get you in the mood for some décor inspiration. Relaxation is on the menu at the Wine & Bubbly Bar furnished by Homewood, a sophistically stylised bar complete with furniture by Homewood – the perfect place to enjoy a glass of wine or flute of bubbly. Keeping it on-trend is the Gin Garden featuring ISHK where visitors can enjoy handcrafted gin cocktails while the Rummery taps into the latest trend of rum-infused concoctions – with some local and craft beers – all set in an inviting tropical bar.
In addition to the full-flavoured features, Decorex Durban has announced a number of new installations that speak to upcoming trends, including:
- The Playroom Children’s Decor Project
- Decorex Urban Living Trend House
- InStudio Trend Theatre by ABSA
- The Lighting Project by Springlights
- Inscape Education Group presents 2nd Skin
- The Bathroom Project
- Bedroom Project
- The Designer Project
- Decorex International
- The Library by EFAM
DECOREX SA 2019 DETAILS
Decorex Durban
21 – 24 March 2019
Friday 10am – 8pm
Thursday, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 6pm
Durban Exhibition Centre
Trade-focused day: 22 March 2019
Ticket Prices: Adults – R95
Student/Pensioners – R85
Kids U12 – R20
Trade – R85
Exhibitor – R85
Decorex Cape Town
1 – 5 May 2019
10am – 6pm daily
Cape Town International Convention Centre
Trade-focused day: 2 – 3 May 2019
Ticket Prices: Adults – R110
Student/Pensioners – R100
Kids U12 – R20
Trade – R100
Exhibitor – R100
Decorex Joburg
7 – 11 August 2019
10am – 6pm daily
Gallagher Convention Centre
Public holiday: 9 August
Trade-focused days: 7 – 8 August 2019
Ticket Prices: Adults – R120
Student/Pensioners – R100
Kids U12 – R20
Trade – R100
Exhibitor – R100
For more information, email [email protected]
Visit: www.decorex.co.za
Facebook: Decorex SA
Twitter: @decorexSA
Instagram: @decorex_sa
LinkedIn: Decorex SA
