It’s braai day!

Heritage Day celebrates South African culture

Get those tongs ready people, Heritage Day, the public holiday that celebrates South Africa’s cultural diversity, is on Monday, 24 September, and that means firing up the braai. Luckily, to help you celebrate in style, we got the lowdown on the art of braaing and the best places to buy meat in Cape Town from the king of braai himself, Jan Braai. And for those tired of charring chops and boerewors, we’ve collected a few more eclectic recipe suggestions.

• Celebrate Cape Malay heritage with Jan Braai's delicious snoek braai recipe, or use ostrich and game instead of the usual beef and chicken. 
• Ever had potjiekos? It’s delicious ‘stew’ slow-cooked over hot coals in a traditional cast iron pot. Get creative; ingredients can include anything from vegetables to ostrich neck
• Alternatively, try our gourmet braaibroodjie recipe followed by our Amarula Melktert for a truly South African treat. 

Otherwise, what follows is a list of braais happening this Heritage Day, if you’d rather not do any of the dirty work yourself. 

2012 Heritage Day Braais in Cape Town

1. Heritage Day Potjiekos Challenge (23 September 2012)
Noordhoek Village plays host to its second annual Heritage Day Potjiekos Challenge, a cook-off that pits  local restaurants against master potjiekos chefs from the general public. After competitors finish their dishes, visitors are invited to taste whichever potjie catches their eye. There will be activities for kids, as well as live music to keep the adults entertained. 

2. Bosman Family Vineyards release weekend (24 September 2012)
Celebrate this historic Wellington estate’s new vintage with a gourmet braai under ancient oak trees. Plus, enjoy a leisurely day of wine-tasting, gourmet food pairings and blues music played by Gerald Clark outside a 250-year-old wine cellar on the stunning Lelienfontein farm just 45 minutes from Cape Town.

3. Kegs vs. Corks Six-Course Food, Wine and Craft Beer Menu at Galbi (23 September 2012)
In celebration of the sexier, more versatile side of braai, Galbi, Cape Town’s only interactive Korean barbeque joint, is inviting locals for a six-course food, wine and craft beer pairing on Heritage Day Eve. The DIY braai restaurant will dish up pre-marinated mains primed for the grill; patrons can cook tiger prawns, eland fillet and more over a personal braai in the centre of their table. The utmost care has gone into creating the perfect food and drink pairing, and thus diners can look forward to a delectable – if not, daring – evening. Booking is essential as seating is extremely limited (45 persons). Tickets cost R175 p/p and include all food and drink on the menu; additional beverages are for diners’ own account. 

4. La Vie Restaurant’s Heritage Day Braai (24 September 2012)
Laze the afternoon and evening away with a traditional South African braai at this longstanding Sea Point eatery, or as the restaurant’s owner, Catherine Malan, says, “Yizo tyanathi iTshisanyama (come braai with us)!!!”  Known for its sweeping 180-degree ocean views and relaxed, vibrant atmosphere, La Vie will be firing up the grill and offering diners a buffet-style selection of meats and fish (think boerewors, ribs, chops, steak, snoek and chicken) as well as salads and ‘pap en sous’ (maize meal and sauce) with mielies (corn) for just R99. Promotions and gift givings will also be on the cards, so be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment (Tel: +27 (0) 82 808 2456). 

5. Hazendal Wine Estate’s DIY Braai Day Celebration
For those who insist on holding fast to their braai master status, but who don’t have space at home to fire up the grill, Hazendal Wine Estate in Stellenbosch is offering the perfect solution. The farm, with its sprawling lawns, mountain vistas and charming Cape Dutch architecture, is hosting a family-friendly DIY Braai Day Celebration from 11am to 5pm. For R50 p/p, it’s possible to pack your meat, drinks, blankets and braai grids, and to picnic on the estate’s gorgeous green. Salads (green salad, potato salad and potato salad) will be available at R15 per adult, and the farm will provide wood and ice. What’s more, jumping castles and jungle gyms will be set up for the little ones, and cool drinks (and of course, Hazendal wine) can be purchased from the restaurant. 

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Read about other fantastic braai spots in Cape Town and don't forget to check out all the great things to do for the Heritage Day weekend.

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