Johannesburg is about to get a taste of what happens when serious wine meets food cooked over an open flame.
The inaugural Chefs & Chenin Festival is heading to Crawford International Sandton College on 26 and 27 September, bringing together chefs, wine producers, live entertainment and food lovers for a two-day celebration.
At the centre of the wine programme will be Pick n Pay on Nicol, which will host the festival’s main Chenin Cellar Experience. Guests will be able to explore different expressions of Chenin Blanc, from fresh and vibrant styles to wines influenced by vineyard location, age and winemaking techniques.
Tickets are available through Webtickets:
https://www.webtickets.co.za/v2/event.aspx?itemid=1593448022
However, Chenin will not be the only attraction.
The festival’s wine line-up stretches across boutique producers, historic estates, Black-owned brands and international imports. Wine Theatre will bring wines from Wellington and the Piekenierskloof, while Blake’s Family Wines will showcase its Swartland offering.
Meanwhile, Allée Bleue will represent the Franschhoek Valley, while Cavalli Estate brings its Stellenbosch wines and focus on sustainability.
Adding another perspective, Imvula Wines will showcase its 100% Black-owned brand, while Wines of the World opens the door to international wines. For those looking further afield, Premier Cru Wines will bring fine French wines and Champagne into the mix.
Math and Co will also join the wine offering, adding to an increasingly diverse programme.
Then there is the food.
The festival will feature live-fire cooking from a line-up that includes Chef Tebogo Morgan of CRAVINGS, Executive Chef Mahalia Jackson, Jacques Venter of Pick n Pay on Nicol and Thyme, Saviour Moyo and Argentine-born chef Juan Andres Vais of African Gaucho.
Vais, in particular, brings more than two decades of experience working with fire and the traditions of Argentine gaucho cooking.
Beyond the plates and glasses, visitors can expect a Harvest Market, live music and a kids’ entertainment zone, making the festival accessible to families and groups as well.
Presented in partnership with Kaya 959, Chefs & Chenin is positioning itself as more than a wine tasting. It is bringing food, fire, wine, music and community together in one Sandton weekend.
Chefs & Chenin Festival takes place on 26 and 27 September 2026 at Crawford International Sandton College.
