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It's Party Time at Tapenade!!

We don’t think it’s any co-incidence that our shop’s second birthday falls within a week of arguably the biggest olive themed party of the year: the Riebeek Valley Olive Festival.

The valley probably has the best soil and climate in South Africa for growing two of life’s very finest things: olives and Shiraz, and if past experience is anything to go by, then the second weekend in May presents the perfect kind of autumn break for enjoying both.

In this edition of the newsletter we celebrate not only the festival, but for those of us not lucky enough to be able to attend, we also give you an away-from-the-action glimpse at the producers with their wide range of products that will be offered with pride and enjoyed with gusto on the day. Read about your chance to taste the valley’s products right here in Gauteng later on, and enter this month’s competition for a chance to win a hamper crammed with some of the more interesting things that the valley has to offer.

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NEW COMPETITION
Win a Riebeek Valley Olive Hamper

A new competition starts this week. One lucky winner will take home an olive hamper filled to the brim with products from producers hosting the Riebeek Valley festival to the value of ZAR 300.00.

Included in the price is 500ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Goedgedacht, Green Olive Chutney, Black Olives in Shiraz and an Olive & Grape Jam from Het Vlock, Lemon Infused Olive Oil. Sundried Olives and Green Olives from Kloovenburg, and lastly the Kalamatas in Blueberry Dressing, Tapenade and a Black Olive Mustard from the Olive Boutique.

You can enter the competition by completing the entry form online before the 25th of June 2007.

[ ENTER HERE ]

PRODUCERS AT THE OLIVE FESTIVAL

Goedgedacht Olive Stall | Goedgedacht is an old Cape Dutch farm situated on the slopes of the Kasteelberg and is now a busy community development centre. The Goedgedacht trust, with the philosophy of “Build People, Strengthen Community and Promote Democracy” was established in 1993. The farm programme is called “The Olive Path out of Poverty” Their aim is to make their programmes sustainable in the future with the profits they make from their olive groves. Since 1994 olive trees have been planted each year and they make an extra virgin olive oil from their groves which is marketed under the Goedgedacht label. Visit them on the Main Square in Riebeek Kasteel at the ABSA Olive and Wine Emporium.

Het Vlock Casteel | Situated on the farm Môrester in Riebeek-Kasteel, Het Vlock Casteel derives its name from the castle-like building near the entrance to the farm. An olive press, where the farm's olives are pressed for oil, as well as the farm's wine cellar is also located here. Johan Vlok, the owner and his wife, Ansie have produced a large selection of olive products, but be sure not to miss Ansie’s jams, chutney and dessert-toppings. The farm is located in Church Street, Riebeek Kasteel.

Kloovenburg Wine and Olives | Pieter and Annalene du Toit from Kloovenburg Wine and Olive Estate in the Riebeek Kasteel area has made a name for themselves with the quality of their innovate range of olive products. The olive oils include an extra virgin olive oil with international acclaim, dipping olive oils with garlic and chilli as well as an oregano, basil and black pepper oil. The first-in-South-Africa Olive Jam is a wonderful addition to any cheese platter or breakfast toast. They also produce both black and green olives, tapenades, sun dried olives and a beauty range. New products such as olive chutneys, pestos and soaps will also be on offer. Visit them on the R46 road from Malmesbury just before entering Riebeek Kasteel or stop at their Kasteelberg stall with beautiful views of the valley.

Olive Boutique | The story of the Olive Boutique in Riebeek Kasteel started when Michael & Juliana Meredith, organizer of the Olive Festival, moved from Johannesburg to the Riebeek Valley to escape the rat race. In 2000 they imported an olive oil press from Italy, and since then, they have produced more than just their extra virgin olive oil, but a range of flavoured olives (including those famous Kalamata’s in a Blueberry Dressing), paste, tapenade, olive mustards and a huge range of beauty products. The Olive Boutique hosts a variety of different stalls on their premises in Church Street in Riebeek Kasteel.

TASTING EVENTS
Tapenade invites you ...

It would have been great if we all could escape to the Riebeek Valley to attend the festival, but alas, we will have to make up for it by having a tasting event right here in the Cresta shop.

Our own Riebeek Valley festival!!

Romesco Olives tasting feast

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PRODUCT OF THE MONTH
Het Vlock Green Olive Chutney

Under Ansie Vlok’s dedicated supervision in the Het Vlock Casteel Kitchen on the Morester farm at the food of the Kasteelberg, a superb olive chutney made from green nocellara olives is made.

The product contains olives, sucrose, grape vinegar and herbs. No preservatives are added.

Ansie recommends this condiment to be enjoyed with any fish dish and mixed with mayonnaise makes a wonderful tartare sauce. It can also be used as a spread on toast or can be used as a base for a sandwich or even a pizza. Fill a filo tartlet with sweet red onions, parma ham and the Het Vlock Green olive chutney.

It is also beautiful with a cheese platter.

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