This looks so epic! The University of Johannesburg and Slow Food Johannesburg are bringing us the Soweto Eat In 2017 which will take place on Saturday, October 7, at the Funda Ujabule, UJ Soweto Campus from 10:00 to 17:00.

Soweto Eat In is a unique event that brings together urban farmers, food producers, chefs schools and upcoming exciting chefs from well known establishments as well as academics, well known personalities and everyone else who loves good, clean and fair food. 

A highlight of the show will be the Skaftini Challenge – a competition amongst culinary schools to produce the tastiest, healthiest lunchbox for only R20 each. 

Headed up by Chef and Culinary activist Adele Stiehler van der Westhuizen, from Prue Leith Chefs’ Academy, the rules of the competition state that every lunchbox must include a protein, must also contain a 250ml drink, mist appeal to the targeted age group and must take into consideration how the lunchbox will be carried by the children. And all for a cost of R20 per lunchbox or less.

Students from the various schools taking part will be selling their lunchboxes on the day with proceeds going to Slow Food 10 000 Food Garden’s Programme. Judging the Skaftini Challenge will be five well-known foodies, including Chef Arnold Tanzer and Sunday Times’ Hilary Biller, who will decide which is the ultimate healthy lunch with the winner being announced at 16:00 on the day.

Show-goers will also have the opportunity to attend two fascinating and thought-provoking conferences:

The Izindaba Zokudla Conference 2017. This year the Conference has a vast array of dignitaries attending and speaking. The topics being covered are

• Conversations about Food –  Izindaba Zokudla Model and other conversations about old food topics.
• Sidla – We are Eating! Why is it that we eat only 14 super crops and a total of only 140 foods worldwide when there is such diversity available?
• City Foods for City Desserts – 10 000 Food Gardens. Well respected Audrey Wainwright of Bryanston Market PGS and Thendo Ratshitanga amongst others, discuss how urban farmers and rooftop gardens can meet the demands of providing fresh, good, clean and fair food for city dwellers.
• Community Eats – Local Markets.  This panel explores how emerging farmers markets assist in bringing together the community as they grow, eat and share in common food.
• Smart Food at the Push of Button, Exploring Food & Climate Change Issues Through Art and loads more!

This year’s Soweto Eat In will once again have numerous farmers selling their produce which is grown in the surrounding Soweto and Orange Farm areas. Everything from Tim Abaa with his raw honey to Mary with her marog, visitors will find the best organic produce grown locally by incredible small farmers. These farmers are all participants in Izindaba Zokudla which is a collection of farmers that meet regularly and share information and other resources under the leadership of Dr Naude Malan.

Entry to Soweto Eat In 2017 will cost just R20 pp and this includes access to both conferences as well as attendance at the launch of the Food Garden. There will also be a cash bar on site.

Safe parking will be available off site with donkey cart chauffeur rides to the venue.

For more details contact:

Caroline McCann (Slow Food) 082 675 1171 / carolinemccann2@gmail.com